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Thanks to donors, food pantry has easy job at holidays By
Jennifer Pinnock The Cache Community Food Pantry and residents of Cache Valley make it possible for people in need to have food on their tables during the holiday season. "People in the community make my job so easy," said Joyce Tarbet, director of the Cache Community Food Pantry. Tarbet said that although the food pantry is where people come to pick up the food, food drives make it possible. Food drives have been organized by public schools, religious groups, Utah State University students and others. Beth Cade, Hillcrest elementary PTA member, has helped organize a food drive at the elementary school for two years. She said she wanted to do something that every child could participate in and be a part of. "I think it is important for the children to know they are a part of something larger," said Cade. "It helps these young children feel like they are an important part of our community." Tarbet said that the pantry used to rely on the Boy Scouts' "Scouting for Food" program that used to be held the Saturday before Thanksgiving for the food to prepare Thanksgiving boxes. But, she said a few years ago the program was changed and it is now held in March. However, Tarbet said she was not too let down by the change because of the concerned community, donations were maintained. "My phone is ringing off the hook because so many people want to be involved," she said. Cade said Hillcrest elementary brings in quite a bit of food to help specifically with Thanksgiving boxes. Her committee has set a goal to bring in 1,560 food items during the seven-day drive. The drive ends Tuesday and the food will be counted at that time she said. Cade said prizes used to be given to the classroom who brought in the most food, but she thought this took the point out of giving to others. "The feeling that comes when a you give to the less fortunate should be enough of a reward," said Cade. Food drives scheduled during the holiday season ask for all food donations but also specific holiday food like stuffing, hot roll mix, Jell-O, fruit and pie crust filling, according to Tarbet. The food pantry is not only a service that provides food during the holiday. Food is given the entire year. Tarbet said that the Cache food pantry ins the only pantry in Utah that has food all 12 months of the year. Every week 150 low-income families are able to come "grocery shop" at the pantry. Also 200 mentally ill people are served per month and over 600 senior citizens each month. All donations are gladly accepted and Tarbet said they are in need of small hams and whole frying chickens for the Thanksgiving boxes. Any food items left after Thanksgiving will be used for Christmas boxes.
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