Utah organizations work together to pack and donate 3000 food bags

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (ABC4) — Amid cutbacks for the SNAP program, several organizations are stepping up. The USANA Foundation and other organizations met today to help pack 3,000 food bags.

Due to the government shutdown, federal SNAP benefits have been reduced, and many across Utah are facing food insecurity. The local branch of the USANA foundation, a non-profit organization focused on helping food insecure communities, helped pack food bags that will go to members of the local community.

They were also joined by volunteers from the Bountiful Food Pantry, Gathering for Good, For the Kids, and the Department of Cultural and Community Engagement.

According to Michelle Benedict, USANA’s Global Programs Director, each food bag contains seven meals. They will be donating the bags to local food pantries and to some local schools to distribute where they need.

Courtesy: USANA Foundation

In addition to these efforts, Benedict says that USANA’s Kids Eat program provides backpacks full of food to help sustain kids during the two weeks of Winter break.

For those who are hoping to help fight food insecurity in the area, Benedict says that they are always looking for people willing to help pack bags or donate food.

She also noted that USANA is gearing up to offer a ‘DIY’ food donation service, in which they provide instructions on what to put in food bags and where to donate them. This allows residents to donate and help on their own time.

Benedict also emphasized the importance of community action. Even one bag of food can help feed the community. When individuals come together as a community, they can help even more.

More information on how to volunteer can be found here.

Additionally, for those who may need some help, Benedict encourages them to look towards their local churches and schools for any programs they may offer, in addition to food banks.

ABC4 has also compiled a list of food banks across Utah below: