Poor economy drives up need for help

With shelves nearly bare, the local food bank is holding a first-in-memory emergency food drive.

"We are not out-out, but we are very close," said Myla Dutton, director of Community Action Services in Provo. "We are encouraging everyone that can give a little to do so, and if you can give a bit more than in the past, it makes all the difference."

Jim Thomas, director of the Provo food bank, said that by 3 p.m. on Friday the food bank had already served 100 families. For the past six months, the food bank has served 43 percent more families each day compared to a year ago. The Provo food bank serves Utah County and neighboring counties.

"We've had an ever-increasing amount of people coming in for food for the obvious reasons," he said. "They have been living on the edge probably, and with the increased cost of gasoline and increased cost of food, they have been turning to someplace where they can get food."

When considering what to give, Dutton encouraged people to think about their own shopping.

"When a mom or dad goes to the grocery store and buys basics, that is what we need," she said. "And then throw in some toilet paper. That is a real need as well."

For struggling families, "their food budgets have been spent elsewhere," Thomas said.

Statewide, the Boy Scouts, who conducted their annual food drive for the coalition in March, have agreed to conduct a second emergency drive, both Thomas and Dutton said. Utah County donations will go to the local food bank.

During several food drives already conducted this year, "the supply was normal and so shelves are getting bare now" because of increased demand, Thomas said. "The next food drive was going to be in November, but I don't think we are going to make it that long."

Thomas said the emergency drive is the first in his memory.

"We had one family that came in today with 13 single-born, natural-born children with one mom and one dad," he said. "We have lots and lots of big families come in, and if we didn't have something for them, I don't know where they would turn."

The coalition is also looking for corporate sponsors, he said.

Beyond canned food, dried food and hygiene items, the coalition needs cash, he said, noting coalition pick-up and delivery trucks drive hundreds of miles a week and must have gas money to make that happen.

"It's just so many thousands of families struggling," said Dutton. "It's wonderful they know we are here, but it's exceptional the Scouts are doing the drive. It will make all the difference."

For more information:

Community Action Services of Provo

Address: 815 S. Freedom Blvd., Provo

Phone: 373-8200

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Web site: www.communityactionprovo.org