RIVERDALE -- The efforts of members, employees and visitors at America First Credit Unions mean hungry Utahns are less at risk today.
On Thursday, America First donated about 400 turkeys and a similar supply of donated nonperishable food to the Utah Food Bank, which will redistribute the items to the 154 partner agencies it serves.
The donation was the result of a food drive that started in September.
Ginette Bott, chief marketing officer for the Utah Food Bank, said the gift was sorely needed, because many who were donating to the food bank a few years ago now are in the recipient lines.
"Utah has been inundated," she said. "We are starting to see what other states saw a few years ago."
This year was the seventh annual food drive for the credit union, with 101 branches participating.
"We're just excited to hand the food over," said Nichole Cypers, public relations and community outreach administrator for America First, which has its headquarters in Riverdale. "We're happy to be able to help out in the community."
Cypers said the annual food drive coincides with International Credit Union day and week, as well as Make A Difference Day, which gives the credit union opportunities to promote giving.
This year, she said, those who made $10 cash donations were given free piggy banks.
In addition to the turkeys and other food donations, Cypers said the credit union will donate money to area charities such as SHARE and Catholic Community Services.
Bott said the food bank likes to partner with organizations to help them realize that they make a difference in meeting the need for food items, and so they can set an example to other groups.
"Right now, we have a request for 18,000 turkeys for just Thanksgiving alone," Bott said.
But the food bank now has only 10,000 turkeys available. She said additional turkeys are needed by Nov. 16 to get them to Utah's needy for Thanksgiving.
Because of the great need, she said, the food bank will limit the number of holiday food boxes it offers this year.
She said the agency normally uses extra food supplies for both Christmas and Thanksgiving boxes, but this year, workers will have enough to do only Thanksgiving boxes.
So she believes Thanksgiving will be key for those who are hungry this year.
"A family can make three or four days of use with leftovers, so it is important," she said.
America First bought the turkeys for its Thursday donation from the Roy Harmon's grocery store. Workers there said the company gives the credit union a discount for its large order.
"We do whatever we can for charity," said Chris Judkins, assistant meat manager at the store. "We help out with families because there are a lot of needy people."
At the end of the holiday season, meat manager Derek Peterson said, the store donates its unsold turkeys to the food bank.
Bott encourages other individuals and organizations to get involved this year more than ever. To register for a food drive, visit utahfoodbank.org and click on the "How can I help?" tab.
Bott said groups that sign up as a team will receive help from the food bank in tracking how much food or money they raise.
"There are all sorts of things we can do to arrange it. We just need folks to go online to start the process."
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