Daily Herald file photo

If parents are struggling to put food on the table, there is often no way to purchase other items — items that may not be considered necessities. With school beginning in a few weeks, many parents are already worrying about how to pay for supplies for their children. Tabitha’s Way Food Pantries in American Fork and Spanish Fork are providing help for these children, in hopes of alleviating some of the stress on parents. The public can help with this worthy project.

“We have already had parents asking if we are going to be doing our backpack giveaway at the end of summer this year. So I sense there is a real concern with families who are struggling to make ends meet during this season of high inflation,” said Wendy Osborne, Tabitha’s Way South County founder.

For 12 years, Tabitha’s Way has given hundreds of backpacks filled with school supplies to children in need. This year, 2,500 backpacks will be given away between the two pantries. Osborne said that because of the donations, gathered through the Light the World giving machines, they were able to purchase the backpacks. Another 500 preschool kits will be purchased for children.

“The south pantry works with local school districts to provide vouchers to children,” Osborne said. “However, anyone who comes to our event, and who is in need, will not be turned away.” The Gear Up For School event will be held on July 30 from 9-11 a.m. at the indoor tennis courts at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds, 475 S. Main St..

About 800 loaded backpacks will be donated to Alpine School District from Tabitha’s Way’s American Fork location to be given to students in need. Others are given to children whose parents seek help from the pantry for food.

Courtesy Randi L. Kaufman

“We let our clients know and we give 400 backpacks to our clients that come through for food,” said Al Switzler, Tabitha’s Way North County co-founder.

Additional supplies for this project are still needed, and can be dropped off at the pantry in American Fork at 920 E. State Road. According to the pantry’s Facebook page, requested items include good crayons, pencils, markers, crayon boxes, folders, notebooks, glue sticks, rulers and highlighters.

“If you’re living at the poverty level, you have to make the decision to buy backpacks or food or backpacks or gas,” Switzler said. “The kids can have some pride going to school.”

In addition to preparing to give backpacks and school supplies to students, the food pantries are busy during the summer months — when the need is great because children are not eating meals at school.

“We are running very low on food donations currently at the South Pantry. Some of the largest food drives are held in the springtime or in the fall,” Osborne said.

The pantry is currently in need of boxed cereals, sugar, flour, jelly, honey, canned meats, canned fruits, canned tomatoes and boxed meals, such as macaroni and cheese. They are also low on hygiene essentials, including shampoo, soap and toilet paper.

Switzler said that the American Fork pantry is also in need of more food donations. “We have fewer organizations that do food drives during summer,” he said. That pantry serves about 1,000 people every week.

Another great way to help is to volunteer at the pantries. “We have been blessed with many volunteers who come regularly to help out in our pantry and serve clients,” Osborne said. “However, during the summer and into early fall, many volunteers go on vacation with their families, so we need a little extra help.”

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