SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Community Action is now providing more than 1,600 free curbside meals daily for children in Salt Lake County and beyond.
According to a news release Wednesday, UCA is helping many parents in Utah who are struggling to meet their family’s basic needs during this time of lost income and tough choices.
Every weekday, UCA prepares, packs up, delivers and distributes more than 1,600 meals at eight UCA Head Start schools in Salt Lake County, Magna and Wendover. Even with the closing of these schools, it has continued the program as a drive up service for parents to feed their children.
On the first day of the curbside pick up program on March 16, 2020, families picked up 460 meals. The next day parents received 1,000 meals. As of April 20, 1,500 to 1,640 meals were distributed curbside.
Magna has the highest pick up number of 700 meals a day. The meal packs are free-of-charge to all children 18 and under and include a lunch for that day, as well as breakfast for the next day. They include the all important fresh fruits, vegetables and milk to assure kids have the nutrition they need to keep building healthy bodies and minds.
“Thanks to them (UCA) my kids have access to delicious, nutritious sack lunches during this time of crisis,” offered one parent on social media. “It’s okay to admit you’re not okay. It’s okay to admit you’re struggling financially. It’s okay to seek help. There are options available. The way out is through…and the only way through is together.”
Jennifer Godfrey, CEO of UCA, said, “Throughout this time, there is one thing that continues to set Utah Community Action apart—our ability to adapt as needed to continue supporting and encouraging children, families, and the community. We are asking the help of our community to ensure those most in need of our services are able to access our programs.”
To aid their efforts, Utah Community Action is asking for donations for baby essentials—diapers, formula, baby food, baby cereal and wipes—for parents in need with young children. These donations will be distributed Monday through Friday along with the free curbside meals for kids, at their eight pickup sites [utahca.org] in Salt Lake and Tooele Counties. There is no sign up necessary to pick up the meals.
To learn more about UCA’s efforts during the COVID-19 crisis or to donate to its efforts through the 55 for 55 campaign, visit www.utahca.org/55years [utahca.org].
