SALT LAKE CITY, Utah -
Programs that help the homeless throughout the salt lake area are running desperately low on canned goods. The Volunteers of America Utah are holding a food drive tomorrow in hopes the community will reach out and help. "Right now we are pretty much out of canned good to support those programs," said Michelle Templin, Director of Community Outreach for the Volunteers of America Utah. "So we need ready to eat, non-perishable canned goods that people can open up and eat without heating."
Edible without heating is key to what they need. Several people do come to the shelters for a prepared, hot meal, but that isn't always a possibility. "We cook meals at all of our programs," said Templin. "Last year we served 84-thousand meals to individuals in need in the city." But shelters have hours of operation and some are closed on the weekends but the homeless still need to eat. "The food that you do get and that you can take out from the center, you can eat that actually any time," said Lavern Kirk, a homeless youth.
That's why no-cook, ready-to-eat canned foods are what they are asking for. "Canned food, tuna, ravioli, spaghetti o's - it's all necessary to survive out on the streets, said Kirk. "Especially cans that...a lot of people don't have access to a can opener," said Nate Lee. "So cans with the pop tops, you just pop it open take a plastic fork or a spoon and eat it right out of the can."
"It's a lot easier to just come pick up some cans," said Anthony Broadus. "Some canned goods, instead of going through the garbage cans." Last year about 12-hundred adults relied on food provided by these services and more than 850 youth. That population has only continued to grow. "Every day," said Broadus. "Every day you need something to eat."
"A lot of people get scared when they can't find the food they need," said Kirk. "And i do get scared too - you know, how am i going to survive that night or the weekend?"
You can get involved. Tomorrow at 655 South State Street you can pull in and people will be here to take your canned goods tomorrow from 8AM to 2PM.
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Edible without heating is key to what they need. Several people do come to the shelters for a prepared, hot meal, but that isn't always a possibility. "We cook meals at all of our programs," said Templin. "Last year we served 84-thousand meals to individuals in need in the city." But shelters have hours of operation and some are closed on the weekends but the homeless still need to eat. "The food that you do get and that you can take out from the center, you can eat that actually any time," said Lavern Kirk, a homeless youth.
That's why no-cook, ready-to-eat canned foods are what they are asking for. "Canned food, tuna, ravioli, spaghetti o's - it's all necessary to survive out on the streets, said Kirk. "Especially cans that...a lot of people don't have access to a can opener," said Nate Lee. "So cans with the pop tops, you just pop it open take a plastic fork or a spoon and eat it right out of the can."
"It's a lot easier to just come pick up some cans," said Anthony Broadus. "Some canned goods, instead of going through the garbage cans." Last year about 12-hundred adults relied on food provided by these services and more than 850 youth. That population has only continued to grow. "Every day," said Broadus. "Every day you need something to eat."
"A lot of people get scared when they can't find the food they need," said Kirk. "And i do get scared too - you know, how am i going to survive that night or the weekend?"
You can get involved. Tomorrow at 655 South State Street you can pull in and people will be here to take your canned goods tomorrow from 8AM to 2PM.
SEND US YOUR NEWS, WEATHER AND SPORTS PICTURES! Click Here to Visit Our Photo/Video Submission Page
FOLLOW US ON TWITTER! @fox13now
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