By Aidan Mortensen | KOAL News
As the cost of groceries continues to rise, many families find themselves turning to food pantry services to help make up for any deficits in their pantry. As a result, pantries find themselves running short on popular items. To aid this deficit, the Utah State University Create Better Health Initiative in Carbon County is hosting a food drive to help stock the shelves for local pantries.
Harim Driggs from Create Better Health joined the KOAL newsroom to discuss the food drive and the benefit it will have on the Castle Country.
“These two pantries are emergency pantries. East Carbon helps around 270 families on average per month. And the Trinity Food Pantry in Price serves up to 500 individuals,” explained Driggs. “And as of right now, they’re pretty empty. And they usually get their food donations from the food bank, but they don’t have a lot of control over what they get.”
To bolster the shelves, Create Better Health will host a donation drive throughout September to help keep the emergency pantries stocked. “We are looking for food like canned vegetables and canned meat. Canned fruit, pasta, and we can get all kinds of stuff that are whole grain and 100% juice on the fruit. Things that are a little bit healthier will be much appreciated, but like I said, anything will be taken.”
Drop-off locations are located at Walmart and Smith’s or at the Utah State University Extension offices. Pickup services can be arranged by calling 435-636-3233.
“There are a lot of people who are on the SNAP benefits, and that’s why we focus more on teaching these people how to stretch those dollars in a healthy way to prevent chronic illnesses. So, like I said, everyone should have access to healthy food,” said Driggs. “I think that even one can of a healthy item will make a big difference in these people that can’t afford it. Some of these people need to pay medical bills, and they don’t have enough for food. So, that’s the people that come to the pantry.”
Closing out our conversation, Driggs stated,” I appreciate the people who have donated in the past. We continuously do these food drives, and I appreciate everyone who can help our neighbors and all these people who live in the area.”
The USU Extension Create Better Health food drive will begin on Monday, Sept. 1, and run throughout the month, ending on Tuesday, Sept. 30. Drop-off locations are located at Walmart and Smith’s or at the Utah State University Extension offices. Pickup services can be arranged by calling 435-636-3233.