SCOUTS HOPE TO COLLECT OVER 1 MILLION MEALS FOR UTAHNS IN NEED

Utah Food Bank Partners with Boy Scouts of America to  

Collect Food for Local Families

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH - March 13, 2014 - Utah Food Bank and its partner agencies across the state are working with the Boy Scouts of America to help Fight Hunger Statewide during the 28th annual Scouting for Food, scheduled for Saturday, March 22.  This food drive comes at a critical time when supplies at Utah Food Bank and emergency food pantries are beginning to thin following the holiday season.

"It is so rewarding to see the Boy Scouts of America, the Utah National Parks Council, the Trapper Trails Council, the Great Salt Lake Council, and the Utah National Guard all working together to help fight hunger within their own communities," said Ginette Bott, Utah Food Bank chief development officer. "The food gathered across the state will have a great impact on the one in five Utah kids at risk of missing a meal today."

Scouts will be delivering food donation bags to homes statewide during the week of March 17. Residents statewide are encouraged to leave food donations on their doorstep by 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 22 using either the bag provided or any other bag or box. Local Boy Scouts will be going door-to-door collecting the donations that will then be delivered to Utah Food Bank, regional food banks, and emergency food pantries statewide. Alternatively, donations can be dropped off at your local food pantry or regional food bank, or at Utah Food Bank, located at 3150 South 900 West in Salt Lake City.

Donated food should be commercially packaged and non-perishable items low in sodium, sugar, and corn syrup. Most needed food items include beef stew, chili, peanut butter, boxed meals, canned meats, and canned fruits and vegetables.  "The food donations received from our community will be used to help our neighbors and friends," said Bott. "Families who go without food look a lot like you and me. They are our neighbors, co-workers and friends, and they need our help." For more information about Scouting for Food or to find a local food pantry, visit www.utahfoodbank.org/scouting.

About Utah Food Bank

Utah Food Bank provides food to a statewide network of 130 emergency food pantries and agencies. Last fiscal year, Utah Food Bank distributed 36.3 million pounds of food and goods, the equivalent of approximately 28.4 million meals for families and individuals in need. Utah Food Bank also served over 202,000 Kids Cafe meals, delivered more than 41,000 food boxes and filled more than 69,000 kids' backpacks for weekends and school holidays. For more information about Utah Food Bank, visit www.utahfoodbank.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UtahFoodBank and Twitter at www.twitter.com/UtahFoodBank.