The Christian Center of Park City is making a real difference by providing food to those in need. They run food pantries that offer groceries and meals, helping to fight food insecurity in the community. Their mission is simple: no one should go hungry.
The pantry is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. It relies on donations from the community, but it also collaborates with local restaurants and grocery stores to gather food and household items. Jaime Mira, the pantry manager, explains, “What we have changes daily because we work with donations.” Each morning, Kevin Rangel, a dedicated driver, collects food from nearby stores to ensure fresh supplies for families.
The pantry is a warm, welcoming place designed to remove any stigma around seeking help. Staff and volunteers carefully stock fresh produce, dairy, canned goods, snacks, and more. Daily, they strive to provide nutritious options to everyone who visits.
A local community member praised the pantry, sharing how helpful it has been for her family, especially with twins and a young grandson. She expressed gratitude for the kind treatment they receive from the staff, highlighting that the pantry always meets her needs.
Getting help from the pantry is easy. Anyone living in Summit County or Wasatch County just needs to show a form of ID like a driver’s license or passport. The process is straightforward, aiming to reduce any barriers for those in need.
Visitors can come in twice a month during regular hours. However, there’s an added bonus: anyone can drop by daily from 3:30 to 4 p.m. for extra perishable items. That way, the pantry can minimize waste while keeping shelves stocked.
Every month, the pantry supports hundreds of families. This growing need reflects the rising cost of living, pushing many to rely on the pantry as a steady source of food. The pantry also runs a “Snack in Backpack” program, working with local schools to provide lunch sacks for children who might not have regular meals at home.
This program reaches children in both Summit County and Wasatch County, thanks to partnerships with local organizations, including PC Tots and St. Mary’s Church. Edgar Rodriguez, another pantry driver in Heber Valley, sees firsthand the basic needs many families face. He often assists those in desperate situations, providing not just food but also plates and utensils as needed, often thanks to donations from the center’s thrift store.
Rodriguez emphasizes the challenge of food insecurity in a wealthy nation, revealing his own background from Colombia. He feels it’s a privilege to help families in need and finds great satisfaction in providing relief to those who feel lost.
Both the Park City and Heber City pantries have noticed a change recently. Growing fears around immigration have made some hesitant to ask for help, even as their needs rise. Rodriguez remarks that job shortages, particularly in winter tourism, have made things worse. As work becomes scarce, so does the ability to buy food.
In response to this need, the organization has set up mobile food pantries in the summer, bringing trucks with food to neighborhoods where it’s most needed. They’re considering continuing this service to help those who feel vulnerable.
While the pantry does receive many donations, there are always gaps. Basic items like sugar and salt are often missing, and eggs are in particularly high demand. Rodriguez shares, “When we do get eggs, they disappear quickly.”
Donations are always welcome at both pantry locations. If you want to learn more or explore ways to volunteer, check out the food pantry’s website at ccofpc.org/food-pantry.
