Share experiences/opportunities in the fight against hunger
Submitted by bogey_69 on Thu, 04/23/2009 - 12:02
What have you done to fight hunger? Have any stories of hope, humorous experiences? Share them here. Want to pass along an enjoyable or fulfilling experience? Looking for help locally? Anything is welcome.
I would urge anyone looking for volunteer opportunities that live in Northern Utah to consider the Box Elder Community Pantry in Brigham City. It is a community owned and operated program that provides food, donated by the people, churches, and businesses of the area, to families in all of Box Elder County. Inconspicuously located on the corner behind an old school at 272 N 200 W, I had driven past many times not realizing how much activity was going on inside. Even during “slow” times, there is always much to do, and the environment is very exciting.
My experiences volunteering at there have always been enjoyable. A very well organized staff always has something for me to do, and their ability to be both innovative and efficient in dealing with their inherently chaotic endeavors never ceases to amaze me. The fact that they have been in operation since 1969, and is 2008 gave out $2.8 worth of food is a testimony to their success.
The organization accepts tax-deductible donations of money, property or food. Since they accept fresh produce from individuals, anyone with a garden can drop off fruits and vegetables - a great way for anyone with a garden to help out! The Community Pantry is always looking for people to volunteer service hours, to provide business services, or to help in maintaining and improving the facility. They also welcome groups or organizations that wish to perform some service.
I have found through volunteering at the Community Pantry, that they always remain true to their mission statement:
“A community partnership ensuring that no one in Box Elder County goes hungry.”
• We don not discriminate against anyone, regardless of race, age, gender, religion, or marital status.
• We believe everyone is our customer.
• We treat everyone with respect and dignity.
• We provide emergency assistance today for self-sufficiency tomorrow.
• We believe everyone who gives, also receives.
• We are easy to work with.
• We are responsible stewards of our donations.
• We are committed to referring our clients to local organizations that provide on-going educational and communication skills.
For forty years, The Box Elder Community Pantry has provided individuals with opportunities to serve, as well as opportunities to succeed.
Box Elder Community Pantry
272 North 200 West
Brigham City, UT 84302
Phone: (435) 723-1449
Fax: (435) 723-5262
Email: becp@qwestoffice.net
Great suggestion! I'll be looking into it!
- James
That is great! It would be a great way to spend the summer with my friends!
I have always had an interest in the homeless, but not till recently has this cause truly affected me. A dear friend of mine has recently lost his job and will soon be on the streets because he can no longer afford rent. At a young age of 20, he has no family support, no car, no money, and now no home or job. I have been filled with guilt and sadness because of his current situation, but there is nothing I can truly do. I do not want this to be the end result everytime I see someone homeless, especially a young adult. I want to be able to help them as best as I can. Currently the only form of help I have been able to give are resources for temperary housing and food stamps. Does anyone have any suggestions for our homeless youth??? I fear for my friend and for others who are trying to survive on our streets.
U should hold canned food drives in your community and ask your family and friends to donate food, money, etc. If they need clothes or shoes, start a clothing drive @ your school, church, or in any sports teams, etc. Ask people to donate clean, in-good-shape, hardly used clothes, shoes, socks, etc. :) hope this helpss
I know its hard to think what can you do to help people not only in your community but half way across the world. When I hear the word "poverty" I to am guilty of automatically thinking of third-world countries and the poverty striking their countries. But I have been proven wrong to many times to count. Poverty is not only a characteristic of third-world countries but also a major one in our country! I volunteer all the time, especially at my Churches food bank an its sicking looking at the numbers grow and grow, the lines longer and longer, and the food shorter and shorter. We can not expect our government to deal with these issues because they have so much to worry about as it is, so we need to be there for others in there time of need. We can make a difference but its up to each one of us to do our part. Its sad to think that when you sit down to enjoy a meal that someone just died from going hungry. According to the recent report on food insecurity from the FAO (www.fao.org/), there are about 800 million undernourished people in the world today. Yet there is enough grain to provide every human being on the planet with 3500 calories per day. I want to eliminate poverty not only in my community and the communities around me but across the globe in parts of the world people have never heard of because they do not have a voice. I want to start a club that faces the issue of poverty and I want to know if anyone would be interested in joining me and helping me?
Last year, our project for VALUES class was to conduct a feeding program for streetchildren. It wasn't big, you only had to benefit at least 10 children. Me and my friends decided to work together. We cooked spaghetti and distributed it together with bread and juice to the children. It's not a really BIG thing, I know that, but after seeing the happy smiles of the children that we helped, it was a really fulfilling experience. We're planning to do it again this Christmas season. Just our way to say Thank You to our Savior Jesus Christ.