Local food banks are responding with optimism to the recent passage of a Senate resolution designating Nov. 20, 2003, as "Feed America Thursday."

The resolution, sponsored by Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, encourages Americans to skip two meals on the Thursday before Thanksgiving and to donate the money they would have spent on food to a religious or charitable organization of their choice.

This Thanksgiving season will mark the second time Utah residents have had the opportunity to participate in the event. The first Feed America Thursday took place in 2002.

The suggestion for a national day of fasting came from Provo resident Dr. David Perry, who approached Mayor Lewis Billings about the idea. Billings encouraged him to contact Sen. Hatch.

Because donations to charities tend to rise significantly during the holiday season, the full impact of the first Feed America Thursday has been difficult to measure.

Still, local food banks said they believe it makes a difference.

"I'm positive it did increase giving," said Myla Dutton, executive director of Community Action Services, which operates the Timpanogos Regional Food Bank.

Dutton added that last year donations during the holiday season totaled 500,000 pounds of food - 100,000 pounds more than was given the previous year.

According to Brent S. Crane, executive director of the Food and Care Coalition, Feed America Thursday can make a difference because it provides an easy way to help in the community.

"For a program to be effective, it has got to be simple," Crane said. "It has got to be straightforward and easy to do. If you're going to participate, you can. If you don't want to, you don't have to."

Crane added if every person in the community would give just $1 a year, the Food and Care Coalition would never be in want as an organization.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 33 million Americans, including 13 million children, live in households lacking an adequate supply of food.

Many Utah families are in need as well.

Last year the Timpanogos Regional Food Bank, which serves Utah, Wasatch, and Summit counties, assisted nearly 18,000 people.

One-third of those helped were children, and the majority of the recipients came from struggling two-parent households.

In addition to providing individual assistance, the Timpanogos Food Bank takes food to senior citizen centers and other local organizations on a weekly basis.

According to Sara Beckstead, development director for the Community Services Council, which operates the Utah Food Bank, even a small donation can make a large difference.

Last year the organization raised more than one million pounds of food across the state.

According to the food bank's Web site, a $1 donation translates into $13 of service.

Beckstead said donations and volunteer work allow the Utah Food Bank to meet its goals. In-kind donations provide a vital part of the contributions.

"Because we work so hard to get in-kind things donated, we can really stretch the money," Beckstead said. For example, if a truckload of apples is donated, the Utah Food Bank only has to pay the cost of transporting the goods to the state.

Crane said he believes the success of Feed America Thursday will increase as the media grants more attention to the event and as members of the community become more aware that it is taking place.

"It certainly has the potential to do good for charities that help the poor and needy," he said.

Area food banks will promote this year's event through fliers and other media campaigns.

In addition, the Utah Food Bank plans to have paper bags and information on where donations can be dropped off and distributed with newspapers throughout the state.

Although the practice of fasting is common among members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, supporters of Feed America Thursday said the day of fasting is for everyone, not just the religious.

In an interview with The Daily Universe last year, Perry said he hopes that people in the community will view the day as a time to help with humanitarian efforts in the community.

Following passage of the resolution, Sen. Hatch issued a statement encouraging all Americans to join him in supporting Feed America Thursday this year.

"Feed America Thursday not only encourages Americans to help those in need, but it also promotes a spirit of selflessness and sacrifice vital to our strength as a nation," Hatch said. "I urge every American to join me in feeding the hungry and affirming the values that make our nation great."

The U.S. Conference of Mayors adopted a similar resolution in support of Feed America Thursday earlier this year.



Copyright Brigham Young University 7 Jul 2003