New Mobile Food Pantry in Washington County Aims to Help Thousands

Starting April 25, the Utah Food Bank will have a new mobile food pantry in Washington County. The food bank reports that more than 35,000 Southern Utahns are at risk of going to bed hungry.

Staff at the Utah Food Bank said it's not a typical brick and mortar facility and will help those in Washington County in need of services closer to home. They say that 1 in every 5 children in Southern Utah is at risk of going without a meal.

"You have families that are working numerous part times jobs, sometimes two or three to be able to make ends meet," said Ginette Bott, president and chief executive officer of the Utah Food Bank:

The food bank reported that in Washington County alone, nearly 22,000 people don't know where their next meal is coming from.

The new mobile pantry will be open from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the last Thursday of every month.

"During that time frame between 11 a.m. and 1, they can go in on their lunches," said Utah Food Bank area director Linda Trujillo. "That will be awesome."

Anyone who qualifies for assistance can head to the new site located on the corner of Telegraph Street and Main Street in St. George.

"For this type of pantry, we will bring a truck, we'll set up product, and every person that goes through will get about 10 to 15 items," said Trujillo.

The food items the pantry carries include canned fruits and vegetables, rice, beans or lentils. Any items not used are brought back to the Utah Food Bank.

Story provided by our News Partners at ABC 4 Utah.