Courtesy Randi L. Kaufman

In the last few months, there have been changes to the rent relief program for the state of Utah, and in the coming months there will be changes to the SNAP food stamps program. Even with the changes to these two programs, there are resources available for food and rental assistance in Utah County. While there are different criteria for each program, here are a list of some of the resources available.

If you’re in need of food support in Utah County, there are several agencies that can help.

If you are in need of free hot meals, you can find them at the Food and Care Coalition. They provide three hot meals per day, seven days a week, at no cost. They serve anyone regardless of income. You can find out more about their hours of service and meal times on their website at http://foodandcare.org.

Additionally, Meals on Wheels can provide hot meals for homebound seniors aged 60 or older. You can find out more about this service through the Mountainland Association of Government Division of Aging. Applicants must be over the age of 60 and homebound.

There are several locations that can provide food boxes in Utah County. Here are some of the resources and their websites:

• Community Action Services and Food Bank, located in Provo, can help with meal boxes. They serve all members of the community, but may have income-based requirements. You can find out more at http://communityactionprovo.org.
• Tabitha’s Way has food pantries in north and south Utah County. They can provide food including produce, meat, dairy, and other groceries. They can also provide products for infants. You can learn more at http://tabithasway.org.
• For students or faculty at Utah Valley University who are in need of food support, you can access food boxes and other dining vouchers through the UVU Food Pantry.

Courtesy Heather Thiesset

We anticipate a greater need this summer for food resources and encourage you to reach out to local agencies to see what food donations they need to ensure that no one goes hungry in our community.

If you or someone you know is in need of rental assistance, here are some agencies that can provide help:

• Community Action Services and Food Bank can provide some rental relief and mortgage assistance for families or individuals. Some rental programs may require proof of income and identification. You can find out more at http://communityactionprovo.org.
• Food and Care Coalition is currently assisting with rent relief for individuals or couples with no minor children in the household. Requires a signed lease and proof of income and identification. You can learn more at http://foodandcare.org.
• The Boys and Girls Club of Utah County can provide assistance for families such as rental assistance, back pay/fee assistance, housing application fees, utility assistance, and other housing related services. Families are eligible for services if they meet income guidelines, have at least one U.S. citizen/legal permanent resident in their household, and have a dependent child 18 years of age (in high school) or younger or have a woman in the household who is in her third trimester of pregnancy. You can find out more information at http://bgcutah.org.
• If you or someone you know is a veteran struggling with homelessness or at-risk of homelessness, there are resources available through the Homeless Veterans Fellowship. Applicants must be military veterans and must meet income restrictions. This program can help with past due rent, first month/last month rent, deposit, and utility assistance.

If you or someone you know needs additional support or services, call 211 to find out more about the available services in our community.

Heather Hogue is the Mountainland Continuum of Care project coordinator.