Utah Food Bank Director Sounds Alarm on Hunger Crisis as Donations Plummet

Ginette Bott has dedicated over 20 years to fighting hunger in Utah, and the demand for help is only growing. As the director of the Utah Food Bank, she spoke recently with the Salt Lake Chamber’s Leadership Utah group, highlighting the challenges faced by those in need.

During her talk, Bott presented a typical food bank meal, which serves thousands of residents across all 29 counties in Utah. She emphasized that hunger looks the same everywhere and stressed the importance of serving those in need, no matter where they live.

While the holiday season often brings an outpouring of generosity, Bott noted that the need doesn’t vanish once the celebrations are over. “I can’t look at you and tell that you are hungry, but we know that 13% of Utahns face food insecurity,” she explained.

The need for food assistance has surged even higher than during the COVID pandemic, as rising costs for gas and groceries strain family budgets. Bott underscored that many nonprofits across Utah are vying for the same donations, making it crucial to be strategic in their efforts.

“No one is immune from food dependency. Hunger exists in every community, no matter how it looks,” she said. This message is a call to action for all of us to pay attention to the needs of our neighbors.

In a show of support, KUTV and Mountain America Credit Union made a donation to help the Food Bank meet the growing demand for food assistance. Every contribution counts, and Bott encourages everyone to consider how they can help.