September is Hunger Action Month, a time to reflect on the ongoing issue of food insecurity and to raise awareness of how we can all make a difference. In Utah, hunger and poverty are deeply connected, with 31.6% of households living below the federal poverty line experiencing food insecurity. As food prices rise and economic instability affects more families, the need for resources and support is more crucial than ever. But together, we can take action to ensure families in need have access to nutritious food.
The Cycle of Poverty and Hunger
Food insecurity is more than a lack of access to food—it’s part of the broader cycle of poverty. Families struggling to make ends meet often have to make impossible choices between paying rent, utility bills, or buying groceries. This reality makes it difficult for individuals to maintain stable employment, stay healthy, or focus on education. Hunger not only impacts physical well-being but also affects mental health and overall quality of life.
CAP Utah's Role in Fighting Hunger
At CAP Utah, we work with a network of partners to provide resources for families and individuals facing food insecurity. The statewide network provided food boxes to over 32,000 unduplicated individuals across the state in FY (fiscal year) 23 (a 35% increase from FY 22) and nutritious meals to 8,400 unduplicated individuals in Utah (a 39% increase from FY 22).
CAP Utah supports food pantry workers and nutrition program specialists with trainings, data, and technical assistance to help them in their work. CAP Utah supports “community action” approaches to hunger to integrate nutrition programs with other resources to meet the entire needs of families.
CAP Utah also participates in advocacy coalitions like the Family Investment Coalition that educate elected officials and the public on issues around hunger. Food insecurity and its impact on poverty is also a major theme of Poverty Simulations offered through CAP Utah.
Food Insecurity Resources Across Utah
Our partner organizations across the state are essential in the fight against hunger:
- Utah Community Action operates a Head Start Meals Program ensuring children in the Head Start program receive nutritious meals year-round. They also offer a Summer Meals Program in partnership with the Utah Food Bank, which provides free meals to children under 18 during the summer months when school is out. In addition, UCA offers nutrition education resources, empowering families to make healthy choices.
- Community Action Services and Food Bank in Provo is the second largest food bank in Utah and provides comprehensive food assistance services to individuals and families in need across Utah, Summit, and Wasatch counties. Their programs include the Food Bank, offering emergency food boxes and grocery assistance; the Food Pantry, which allows clients to select food items based on their family’s needs; and the Community Garden, which promotes self-sufficiency by allowing families to grow their own produce. Additionally, they provide resources for long-term support through SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) outreach, helping families access essential benefits. Most recently they’ve taken their food pantry on the road with a mobile pantry that serves Summit County.
- Five County AOG serves Southern Utah, offering food distribution services in collaboration with the newest food pantry in our network, the Hurricane Valley Food Pantry! This pantry opened this year in collaboration with the Utah Food Bank.
- Open Doors provides food assistance through their Emergency Food Pantry for individuals and families in Davis and Morgan counties. The pantry offers food and hygiene items to help those experiencing food insecurity. Open Doors strives to meet immediate food needs for families to help them stabilize during difficult times.
- Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments (SERDA) provides critical food assistance to residents in Carbon, Emery, Grand, and San Juan counties through its network of Food Banks. Their locations in Price, Castle Dale, and Moab offer emergency food boxes and regular food distributions to support individuals and families in need. These food banks work closely with local food drives and community donations to ensure families have access to fresh and shelf-stable items. SERDA also offers assistance with SNAP enrollment to help families access additional resources beyond the food bank.
- Uintah Basin Association of Governments currently operates four food pantries in the Tri-County area. The Tri-County Food Pantries are: Westside Food Pantry, Duchesne County Food Pantry, Ashley Valley Food Pantry, and the Flaming Gorge County Food Pantry. Our clients range in age from the very young to the elderly. Nearly 85% of clients are employed, but are considered working class poor, while the remaining individuals are disabled or on a fixed income. Unfortunately their employment is not enough to sustain their needs, especially food. The Uintah Basin Food Pantries allow a client to receive one food box a month. Clients are also allowed two emergency boxes a year (within 12 months). If available, holiday boxes may be supplied at Thanksgiving and/or Christmas. They also operate community gardens that increase the availability of fresh produce to pantry clients.
Additionally, statewide efforts such as the Utah Food Bank provide a critical lifeline for families across the state, with distribution centers and partnerships helping to alleviate hunger in both rural and urban areas.
How You Can Help
You don’t need to be a nutrition expert or a policy maker to make an impact. Here are a few ways you can support hunger action in your community:
- Volunteer: Many food banks and organizations need volunteers to help distribute food, organize donations, and assist with outreach efforts.
- Donate: Whether it’s money or food items, every donation counts. Consider contributing to your local food bank or pantry.
- Advocate: Use your voice to raise awareness about food insecurity in Utah. Share information on social media, talk to your local representatives, or participate in hunger awareness campaigns.
Hunger Action Month reminds us that we can all play a role in ending food insecurity in our communities. Whether by volunteering, donating, or simply raising awareness, your support is essential in the fight to ensure that every Utah family has access to the food they need to thrive. Together, we can break the cycle of hunger and poverty.
For more information about how you can get involved and help those in need, visit CAP Utah’s website.
