It is a message he applies to families in need who rely on Community Action. Whether it’s getting a food order, going to work, making a rent payment or putting in an application — it’s all about staying the course.

“Small things built upon each other get to be big things,” he said.

These days, doing the small things can become increasingly challenging for those in need, with inflation, rising rent costs and, more recently, a government shutdown that temporarily paused food stamp payments.

Hogan said when he joined Community Action in June 2020, a busy day at the food pantry meant 65 households coming through. Soon, a busy day became 140 to 150 households, then grew to 200 households. During one week this November, a busy day meant 338 families visited the pantry.

Hogan pauses every time he hears about a two- or three-bedroom apartment that has a higher monthly rent than his mortgage payment. He hears of households that have three jobs between two adults to make ends meet.

“That wasn’t how it used to be, and it keeps me looking for, how do we make things a little bit easier for our neighbors?” he said.

The solution can come from the community, with people offering small contributions to make a big difference.

While large grants with multiple zeros attached are useful, Hogan said a $25 check with a note of gratitude attached is just as important.

People can also donate their time. They’re invited to serve at the warming shelter in south Provo, where they can get to know homeless individuals who are staying out of the cold for the night. They can volunteer at Community Action’s Circles Initiative, which helps people gain financial independence through resources and community support.

“It just comes back to being aware, hearing about a need and doing what moves you to be engaged,” Hogan said.

Many people are already answering the call because giving is part of the community culture for the three counties Community Action serves — Utah, Wasatch and Summit, according to Hogan.

He said none of the 200 barrels stored in the Community Action warehouse are there right now because they’re all out in the community doing a food drive. Earlier this month, one single adult ward rallied together to donate more than 700 pounds of food.

“Everybody shows up in this community,” Hogan said. “Everybody says, I might not be able to solve all your problems, but here’s something to help out. So I always start with being grateful.”

The need for help remains constant, though. Hogan said every year there are ebbs and flows in demand. He said when it’s ebbing, he builds up his reserves for when there are flows. When things are flowing, a kitchen stocked full of food may become empty by the day’s end.

Typically, Thanksgiving and Christmas are times of ebbing, when Community Action can stock up because donation levels are high. This year is the exception, though, due to the pause of SNAP benefits earlier this month that increased the demand. Looming concerns over individuals’ medical insurance may keep the need high heading into next year, Hogan said.

Recognizing the level of need can be a communitywide endeavor, working with local partners Tabitha’s Way and Food and Care Coalition — and the residents of Utah County.

“We’re here free. We’re here for all of our friends and neighbors to come get some food,” Hogan said. “We have generous donors. We have generous partners. So we should be able to weather the storm.”

Along the way, the charity workers are constant cheerleaders of those they serve. Inside Community Action is a bell a client can ring whenever they reach an accomplishment in their life.

“You have to take those moments to celebrate, because there’s going to be that next day of 300 people coming through my pantry,” Hogan said. “And in those celebrations, you have to take pause and just say, I’m grateful I’m here to see this happen. I’m witnessing this thing in this person’s life.”