Internal Food Drive
Under the direction of Executive Director Carolyn Gonot, UTA recently conducted an employee-driven, internal food drive. Aware that several members of our community are struggling with resources and the effects of COVID-19, our employees wanted to do something to make a difference. People from nine different offices in UTA volunteered to help, and food was donated to several food banks and community organizations, including the Salvation Army, Community Action Utah County, Catholic Community Services of Utah, and the Utah Food Bank.

An Increase of Need
The Utah Food Bank has seen a sharp increase of requests for food since the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in Utah early March. Their Mobile Pantry Program increased deliveries by 34% and has seen an 192% increase in households served since the pandemic began, compared to the same time in 2019. They also have distributed 14.4 million pounds of food between March and May of this year, which is an increase of 2.5 million pounds from last year. The need they are seeing directly reflects what is going on in our state, and UTA wants to be a part of the solution.

How We Helped
For two weeks at the beginning of June, UTA issued a call for donations throughout the agency. Many employees enthusiastically answered, and bins and boxes were soon overflowing with donations. In our Mt. Ogden Service Unit, it was billed as a “Fill the Bus” campaign, with an out-of-service bus parked prominently in the bus lot that employees could use to store their donations. The goodness and generosity of so many UTA employees was demonstrated in touching ways throughout the drive.

Over the course of the two-week drive, UTA collected an impressive amount of food and donations. 927 pounds of food went to the Utah Food Bank alone, helping to provide 810 meals to Utahans throughout the state. Several hundred more pounds of food were distributed to the other organizations that we worked with. When given the chance to serve, our employees stepped up to the plate in a big way and took the opportunity to do good where it is needed.

How You Can Help, Too
Due to the success of this food drive, UTA has committed to organizing similar efforts in the months to come. We want to do our part to help during these difficult times and to bring a bit of hope to those who are lacking it. If you have the means to donate or would like to know more about the work that these organizations do, you can visit them at their websites and learn how to contribute.

The Utah Food Bank
Salvation Army
Community Action Provo
Catholic Community Services of Utah

And remember, UTA is here for your transportation needs. Give us a call or visit our website with any questions that you might have about changes due to COVID-19, service reductions, or our plans moving forward.