Utah Food Bank Holiday Food Drive

Wanted - 1.5 Million Pounds of Food and 28,000 Turkeys

Annual Holiday Food Drive Seeks Donations to Feed Families in Need

SALT LAKE CITY, November 1, 2010 - Now through December 24, Utah Food Bank is on a mission to collect 1.5 million pounds of food and 28,000 turkeys for distribution to emergency food pantries across the state. Food pantries and agencies are reporting a 40 percent increase in food requests and Utah Food Bank is asking the community to help meet the rising need.

Utah Food Bank and its partners encourage public food and cash donations throughout the season to assist in fulfilling emergency food requests through the winter months and beyond. To assist in food collection, Utah Food Bank's annual Holiday Food Drive Bag will be delivered in newspapers on November 11.

Non-perishable donations can be made in any bag, box or container at the following sponsor drop-off locations: Riverton Motors Group, Jiffy Lube and Smith's Food & Drug. A full listing of drop-off locations, including local food pantries, can be found at www.UtahFoodBank.org/dropoff-locations.

Utah Food Bank will host a Turkey Drive on Thursday, November 11 to help collect the 3,000 turkeys needed to fulfill the Thanksgiving goal. Turkey donations can be made at Utah Food Bank (3150 South 900 West, Salt Lake City).

Utah Food Bank is also seeking financial contributions at www.utahfoodbank.org/give-now. Wells Fargo is helping to promote Utah Food Bank's ability to turn $1 into $7 worth of food and services.

Those looking to participate in a fun family tradition can join the 5^th Annual Utah Human Race taking place on Thanksgiving Day (November 25) at Draper Factory Outlets. The fun walk/run has 5K and 10K routes and 100 percent of the proceeds benefit Utah Food Bank. Registration and information can be found at www.UtahHumanRace.com.

"The Holiday Food Drive is the biggest and most important food drive of the year for Utah Food Bank and the emergency food network statewide," Jim Pugh, Utah Food Bank Services CEO said. "This two-month window is a critical time for us and its success tends to be indicative of the level of giving for the next six months. We're very grateful for any donation of time, food or funds in any quantity."

Photo and Interview Opportunities Available Throughout the Holiday Food Drive.

About Utah Food Bank

Utah Food Bank provides food to a statewide network of 150 emergency food pantries and agencies statewide. Last fiscal year, Utah Food Bank distributed 30.8 million pounds of food, the equivalent of over 23 million meals for families and individuals in need. Utah Food Bank also served 221,237 Kids Cafe meals, delivered 26,472 senior food boxes and answered 114,994 calls through its 2-1-1 Information & Referral service. For more information about Utah Food Bank call (801) 978-2452 or visit http://www.utahfoodbank.org/. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/UtahFoodBank and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/UtahFoodBank.