SOUTH SALT LAKE—Salt Lake Community College, Home Depot, Apple Spice Junction and many others came together to help a community by creating a food bank in South Salt Lake.
Food Bank Manager Cynthia White said during the past year more than a dozen local companies have donated time and material to turn a warehouse into the South Salt Lake Food Pantry, located at 2358 South Main St.
"Lots of effort by a lot of different organizations,” she said. “Basically this is what it's about. Community giving. Community giving back.”
The painting, plumbing, carpeting and lighting for the building was all done for free. The pantry is currently only open on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but the organization hopes to add more days to that schedule by summertime.
Sharon Gutierrez is one recipient of the food pantry’s offerings, and she said it’s a great help to her.
"They help a lot,” she said. “Last time I—I don't get much a month, so I come to places like this. Yeah, they help a lot."
White said the work at the pantry is especially important due to the state of the economy.
"It's just very important because of the economy, the way the economy is, and people are having a very hard time meeting needs like for food,” she said. “This is what we are here for."
White said the area surrounding the food bank is a low income area, and there are many single parents and a lot of children. White said the need in the area is very great, which is why they built the food pantry where they did. White said this service is made possible by the community.
"It's all about the community getting involved and doing what they can,” she said. “It doesn't matter what it is. Whether it's donating, giving of your time, some services, some labor—it doesn't matter, everything counts.”
