‘Tis the season for giving, which means the Tremonton Food Pantry is expecting an influx of donations in November and December as people catch the holiday spirit.
Director Cathy Newman appreciates the sentiment, as many people in need throughout northern Box Elder County will use the pantry’s services as they try to stretch their limited dollars as far as possible so they can provide their families with a memorable Christmas.
“People want to give now, and we really appreciate it,” Newman said, “but come December 24, it all stops. Sometimes we have to remind them that people are hungry year round.”
Since it was started 24 years ago, the Tremonton City-owned and operated facility has served as a safety net for thousands of area families in need of a little help to make ends meet.
“We’re an emergency food pantry,” Newman said. “We don’t give people a whole month’s worth of food. The idea is to help so they can pay their gas bill or their rent.”
She said the pantry currently serves about 160 families a month, which equates to more than 500 people.
“A lot of people think we only serve Tremonton, but we cover the entire northern end of the valley,” she said. “We have people come from Park Valley, Portage, Garland, Fielding, Riverside, and all over this area.”
The pantry relies on donations for about 80 percent of the food and supplies it distributes, with the remaining 20 percent coming on trucks from the Utah Food Bank twice a month.
“This community is wonderful,” Newman said. “Anytime we’re really down, we let people know, and they start donating.”
During a visit to the pantry last week, Newman pointed out bare shelves inside the facility. While donations of a variety of items are always gratefully accepted, she said the pantry is especially in need of canned soups right now.
“In my 13 years here, we’ve never run out of chicken noodle soup — until now,” she said. “Donations are down a lot from last year.”
The drop in donations comes despite a strong economy, when unemployment in the county is near historic lows.
“Even back when the La-Z-Boy plant was closing and others were laying people off, we got more donations than we’re getting now,” Newman said.
The Utah Food Bank has to serve a rapidly growing population throughout the state, and so its deliveries to Tremonton have gradually declined, making the need for local donations even greater. Local businesses, scouting groups, farmers, community organizations and others have done a good job picking up the slack, Newman said, but the year-round need is constant.
“Most of the families we serve, the parents are working, but when you’re trying to live on minimum wage and you’re raising three kids, it’s hard,” she said.
She added that a growing number of elderly people, many of whom are caring for their grandchildren, are coming to the pantry for help. There has also been an increase in people with disabilities relying on the pantry for partial assistance.
“They’re having to choose between their medicine and food,” she said.
The food pantry is currently asking the public to donate turkeys for Thanksgiving dinners, but that’s not all. Baking staples like flour and vegetable oil are always in high demand, as are condiments like ketchup and mustard. There’s also a constant need for Tuna Helper and mayonnaise, as the pantry always seems to have plenty of canned tuna, but runs out of the items that help turn that tuna into nutritious meals that kids will enjoy.
Personal hygiene items are also a big need, but unlike many other food pantries, Newman said the facility always seems to have enough baby items — things like diapers and formula.
“Whenever I talk to people at other facilities, they are always amazed by that,” she said. “It really shows what a great community we have.”
She said a common misconception is that the pantry won’t accept goods that have passed their expiration date.
“Depending on what the item is, some things will still be good months or even years after the expiration date,” she said. “As long as it’s reasonable, we’re happy to take it.”
The pantry can’t accept home-canned goods because of regulations, but gladly takes donations of garden and farm produce during harvest season.
The pantry pays its own bills but is backed by the city, which allocated some extra money this year to refurbish its large refrigerator, but Newman is quick to emphasize that 100 percent of donations to the pantry go directly to those in need.
Newman is the only paid staff member. A group of 14 volunteers does most of the work.
“Most of them have been here the whole time I’ve been here. They love it like I do, and we couldn’t do it without them,” she said. “Some of them used to come here for food, and now that they’re back on their feet, they want to pay it back.”
The pantry is open most Mondays and Tuesdays from 3 to 6 p.m., but people can drop off donations at city hall next door anytime during the regular workweek.
