With the holidays approaching, Summit County leaders are urging residents to reflect the spirit of Thanksgiving by supporting their neighbors who may be struggling with food insecurity.
The Summit County Health Department is putting together drop boxes for donations to help families struggling, as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program benefits are being cut.
“For reasons beyond their control, we have friends and families in our community who can use extra support this holiday season. If there is ever a community that can bring the magic of the holiday season to real life, Summit County is the place,” Health Director Phil Bondurant wrote in the Health Department newsletter.
The Health Department is opening a community-wide challenge to “magnify the spirit of the holidays” by encouraging intentional food donations. The effort formally kicked off on Monday.
Donations will be accepted at any of the food pantries in Summit County — the Christian Center of Park City, and the Community Action Services & Food Bank in Coalville, Oakley and Kamas — as well as the three Health Department branches in Kamas, Coalville and Quinn’s Junction.
The Health Department will also share its contributions with the local food pantries to “help ensure every household has access to warm, nutritious meals this holiday season.”
The following items are needed:
- Sugar
- Salt
- Black pepper
- Cooking oil
- Canned goods, including any fruit (not apple sauce), veggies (corn and tomatoes, but no green beans), meat, tuna, beans, evaporated milk, pasta sauce and canned meals such as chili and soup
- Pancake mix
- Maseca
- Ceral
- Diapers in sizes 2, 4, 5, 6, as well as for children and adults
- Hygiene items
- Healthy snack bars (not candy bars)
- Dried fruit
- Dried milk
- Flour
- Rice
- Dry beans
- Hot chocolate and coffee
- Syrup
- Mayonnaise
“Together, we can help fill shelves and hearts, reduce undue stress on families, and build a healthier community for all, one donation at a time. Every contribution, no matter how small, adds up to building a stronger, happier, and more connected community,” Bondurant said.
The Park City Council on Thursday also approved a $60,000 contribution to the Christian Center of Park City to go toward food distribution services. The municipal government said upward of 150 households in Park City have not received assistance from SNAP since funding was interrupted as a result of the federal shutdown.
The humanitarian nonprofit “is preparing for a substantial increase in need” and has already started increasing operations to help.
Jessica Bryant, the deputy director of grants and marketing for the Christian Center of Park City, said the generosity of the community so far has been very inspiring.
“With the anticipated increase in pantry visitors, we are able to order fresh produce to supplement the donations we pick up from the local grocery stores each morning. The local stores are very generous but as you can imagine, fresh fruits and vegetables are in shorter supply than non- or less-perishable goods,” she said.
Donations of baby food, infant formula and diapers are also helpful for families enrolled in the WIC program.
Monetary donations are also accepted by the food pantries. Visit secure.givelively.org/donate/christian-center-of-park-city/pantry-park-city to donate to the Christian Center of Park City food pantry.
Related Stories
Source link