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Acts of Service - Grateful Hearts and Giving Hands
Resident Submission by Wendy Osborne
On any given week, our pantry will serve 160 local families who are facing food insecurity. These individuals come from varying socioeconomic backgrounds but are often facing similar challenges when choosing between a life-saving medical treatment, housing, or their food.
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Unfortunately, food is one of the first things cut from a family’s budget, which has harmful effects upon the individual and our community. According to Northwestern University’s analysis of Census Pulse data, food insecurity spiked across the country. In Utah, food insecurity was at its highest in December 2020 when it hit 19.3%, or nearly 1 in 5 Utah households. Sadly, children make up the largest demographic of persons we serve; nearly 50%.
Many may say “there are more jobs than there are people, and we are paying higher wages than we ever have before.” While these statements are true, they don’t take into account that housing cost increased by 67% in Utah County over the last 12 months, and other essential services and supplies are also spiking to all-time highs. More hardworking middle-class families are facing food insecurity than ever before. By middle-class family, I mean your neighbor just down the block from you.
The statement “I never had to use a food pantry before; I never thought I would need one” is one commonly reverberated throughout our food pantries.
Our pantries at Tabitha’s Way provide the immediate food assistance needed to ensure these local families and children receive the nutrition required to be able to live healthy, productive lives. This work requires the help of many hands and giving hearts.
Here are a few ways you can help and make a huge difference in someone’s holiday season this year:
1. You can sign up for a 2 to 3 hour shift by going to https://tabithaswaysouth.org/how-to-help/ and selecting Donate Time.
2. You can donate funds: Every dollar equals 5 Nutritious Meals for a neighbor in need. https://tabithaswaysouth.org/donate/
3. Or you can host a food drive! https://tabithaswaysouth.org/fooddonations/
