AARP Utah Tackles Hunger Through Unlikely Channels

AARP Utah events rarely require ear plugs, but our partnership with the Utah Food Bank at Rocky Mountain Raceways meant standing a few feet away from the drag races and the sound of roaring engines. Even the security police appreciated the free ear plugs we gave away to participants, each packet branded with the You’ve Earned a Say logo and the YEAS website.

See Also: Drive to End Hunger

For three different Rocky Mountain Raceways events in July, we teamed up with the Utah Food Bank to collect food donations from race enthusiasts in exchange for free admission. Over three thousand pounds of food was collected and the hearing of hundreds of participants was protected by the free ear plugs given to fans. Special thanks to Area Coordinator Carol Jenson for arranging the partnership and lining up volunteers to help us coordinate the collection.

This fall our fight to end hunger will take us off the racetrack and into the studio of PBS radio affiliate KUER. As part of their fundraising drive, KUER will offer a “social good” premium to a worthy cause instead of the usual gift of a DVD or a gift certificate. AARP Utah is proud to help sponsor the cost of the “social good” premium, which will be the purchase of one or several meals for the Utah Food Bank. This will benefit KUER as well, as money they would otherwise have to spend to fund the meals will remain with the station to support their programming.

These are just a few creative ways AARP Utah is helping to reduce food insecurity in Utah, but you can donate food, time, or money to the Utah Food Bank just by going to their website. If you wish to donate money, consider making it as a member of Team AARP Utah.

Any donation of time, food or money is appreciated, regardless of the form it takes. The Utah Food Bank can stretch each dollar donated into seven dollars’ worth of direct assistance through bulk purchases and the like, so your donation will be make a huge difference. But there are several food pantries and shelters around the state that would greatly appreciate assistance as well.