Government shutdown means more food bank donations needed

There is greater need to fund Utah's hungry this holiday season due to the government shutdown, according to Catholic Community Services of Utah. Photo courtesy of Catholic Community Services of Utah.

OGDEN, Utah – There is greater need to feed Utah’s hungry this holiday season due to the recent federal government shutdown, according to Danielle Stamos, public relations and marketing coordinator of Catholic Community Services of Utah.

The organization operates the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank in Odgen.

Stamos says Catholic Community Services helped to feed about 70 families of federal government employees during the shutdown last month.

And, she adds, the food bank is now asking the community to donate turkeys and all the trimmings to help restore its resources so it can help families in need.

“The hope is that these holiday food boxes will relieve some of that stress,” Stamos says. “Many people would not otherwise have the opportunity to have that great special moment that many families love to spend time together and share a meal.”

The 16-day shutdown left employees at the IRS office in Ogden without a paycheck, as it did federal workers across the nation.

Stamos says it will likely take some time to completely re-stock her organization’s shelves following the government shutdown.

“That immediate increase of need we really saw – and yes – it will have a lasting effect,” she says.

Frozen turkeys can be dropped off at the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank at 2504 F Ave. in Ogden.

The organization distributes over two million pounds of food annually.

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