Hoping to curb the hunger of children, veterans, seniors and families who are food insecure, a new food pantry is now open in American Fork.
Tabitha’s Way Local Food Pantry North is located at 920 E. State St., Suite C.
Utah Valley residents Mike Carter and Al Switzler founded the new food pantry, following the lead of Tabitha’s Way in Spanish Fork that has been open for six years. The south county location was founded by Wendy Osborne and provides food to more than 4,000 people in need every month.
“Al and I met with the Utah Food Bank and several other organizations over the last four years,” Carter said. “We found that there is a great need in north Utah County for a food pantry. We could not sit by without getting involved.”
According to the Utah Food Bank website, 423,000 Utahns, or one in seven people in the state, are at risk of missing a meal today. One in five children are unsure of where their next meal will come from. There are 78,000 people in Utah County who live below the federal poverty line.
According to Anadine Marshall, pantry manager, there are usually five to 10 new clients each day who are in need of food. People can get food up to two times each month. To qualify, they need to show identification, proof of residence and proof of how many people live in the household.
Volunteers will be helping operate the food pantry. According to Carter, about 75 volunteers will be doing everything from sorting and stocking food, assisting clients with their shopping and picking up food that is close to expiring from grocery stores each week.
“It truly takes a village to operate a local food pantry,” Carter said.
Although the official ribbon cutting was held Tuesday, the pantry has been operating for a few weeks, and more than 700 people have been helped with food during the month of August. Last week at the pantry, more than 100 children were given new backpacks to start school. All were donated, mostly by a local Eagle Scout.
“Many of the mothers were in tears when they picked up their children’s backpacks,” Carter said. “For many of the kids, it is the only thing they have ever had that is new.”
Client hours for those needing food from the pantry are from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, and from 10 a.m. to noon the first and third Saturdays of the month. The food pantry is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Although there are already many volunteers, the pantry is in need of more. Seniors or others who are able to volunteer for the same shift every week are especially in need. However, anyone who can volunteer for one to three hours at any time is needed and welcome, Carter said.
Youth groups are also welcome, especially on Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings. Youth groups need to be scheduled by calling (801) 692-1881. If possible, individual volunteers should also call before dropping in to help. Any groups of friends, clubs, businesses and others are encouraged to volunteer and bless the lives of others, Carter said.
For more information check out the Facebook page at Tabitha's Way Local Food Pantry North County.
