The Utah Food Bank reports that hunger affects 1 in 6 children in Utah. The state saw an increase from 93,000 food-insecure children in 2021 to 143,000 recently, marking a 53% increase. School-age children facing food insecurity are more likely to be absent, hyperactive, and struggle academically in school. Prolonged food deprivation in children can lead to severe mental and physical health challenges. To address food insecurity among children in Utah, Crossroads of the West Council, a local scout council of Scouting America, launched its 39th annual Scouting for Food Drive in February.

A kick-off event was held Feb. 6 at the Granite Education Foundation Donation & Distribution Center in Murray. This year’s food drive sponsors were Bank of Utah, Red Hanger Cleaners, Young Automotive Group, Arctic Circle, Utah National Guard, and Smith’s Food and Drug. The sponsors joined together in launching the annual drive and asked the public to help fill the state pantries with nutritious and nonperishable canned and boxed foods. Each of the sponsors actively supported the food drive by donating bags to customers, publicizing the food drive, and acting as a collection site for donors. 

According to Lorna Koci, chair of the Scouting for Food Drive, the event is supported by a partnership with the Souper Bowl of Caring, a statewide initiative dedicated to fighting hunger locally. It wasn’t a coincidence that Saturday, Feb. 8, was targeted as Scouting for Food Day, when the public typically shops for their Super Bowl parties held on Sunday.

“We are calling on the public to help fill our state pantries with nutritious canned foods such as beef stew, soups, canned meats and vegetables,” Koci said. “We will be asking for food donations at 53 Smith’s Food and Drug stores across the state. Additionally, we are mobilizing 400 Cub Scout packs, Scout troops, and Venture crews to help provide food for 16 community pantries across Utah.”

The food drive came at a time when food supplies at local food pantries were beginning to thin, primarily due to the holiday season. Last year, the drive collected over 100,000 pounds of food for Utahns experiencing food insecurity. This year, Scouts across Utah hoped to gather even more food in an ongoing effort to fight hunger across the state. The Utah National Guard provided the essential workforce, resources and equipment to collect food items from various locations and then made deliveries to the food pantries.

Granite School District is the third largest district in Utah, serving over 58,000 students. Approximately 2,700 students qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program, and 1,600 students are experiencing some level of homelessness in their communities. The Scouting for Food Drive in Salt Lake County will specifically target the food needs of children in the Granite School District by collecting food donations for the Granite Education Foundation. This 501(c)(3) charitable organization provides essential resources for students, teachers and schools within the District.

“We hope that people in Salt Lake County will be donating food items for their children's hunger school programs,” Koci said. On Feb. 8, Smith’s stores had special requests and lists for food items needed in the Granite School District. “These items will provide food-insecure children with a meal before, during, and after school and on the weekend. These types of programs will be happening throughout the state as well as in Granite,” Koci said.

According to the Utah Food Bank, many families in Utah are often forced to make difficult choices between basic needs, such as paying rent, keeping the lights on or buying groceries.  

“The current economic challenges in our state are impacting many families,” Granite School District social worker Sherrie Sanchez said. “The cost of food at the grocery stores has increased significantly. Feeding a family of four isn’t what it used to be. It’s difficult for kids to focus on schoolwork if they haven’t had their first meal of the day. We are grateful that we can provide students with the food they need, made available through donations to the Granite Education Foundation. We know this is a place we can turn to for support when there are challenges.”

Vincent Ni was one of several scouts that welcomed shoppers Feb. 8 at the Smith’s Food and Drug store on Bengal Boulevard in Cottonwood Heights. He encouraged shoppers to donate food to the drive and shared information about the special request items.

“The most important thing about the scout food drive is, it benefits people who go hungry every day,” Ni said. “We’re helping someone to have a better life, at least, I hope so.” λ