SALT LAKE CITY — The Salt Lake City Mission hosted a drive-through Father’s Day food box giveaway Friday.
The boxes are packed with everything needed for a good barbecue.
"We’ve got hot dogs and bratwurst, some chips, some baked beans to hopefully go this weekend and barbecue,” said Pastor Joe Vazquez, the co-executive director of the mission.
They contain a special gift for dad too.
"They have shaving kits in them and they have candies and cookies and socks and just all kinds of fun stuff,” Vazquez said.
This is the first year the mission is giving away food boxes on Father’s Day, and Pastor Vazquez says it feels good to support the people in the community.
"We’re trying to do our part and we really feel that you know that even in the middle of all of this crisis as Americans we like to celebrate our holidays," Pastor Vasquez said. "And Father’s Day I must say is a special day."
Vazquez says over the last two months the mission has seen a 30 percent increase in people needing help due to the pandemic.
"To be able to in a small way help them celebrate on a weekend where unfortunately a lot of people are finding themselves furloughed or unemployed because of the current COVID crisis."
The mission gave away 175 boxes Friday. To get one, people just had to drive up and show an ID. No income restrictions were required.
"They don’t even have to get out of their car we’re doing curbside service," Vasquez said. "All they have to do is open their trunk or the backseat and we have volunteers that are going to load it for them."
The mission is always looking for more donations and volunteers as they gear up for the next food box drive during the 4th of July holiday.
If you'd like to help, click here.