North Ogden food bank facing closure, seeking donations
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- Volunteers sort food for Thanksgiving dinners outside the Tri-City Exchange in North Ogden on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020.
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- From left, Joe Cottam, Teresa Larson and Mike Larson pose with volunteers and Chad Anderson, second from right, at Tri-City exchange in North Ogden on Monday, Nov. 23, 2020.
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- Volunteers at Tri-City Exchange in North Ogden distribute food to a line of cars outside of its warehouse at 2067 N. Washington Blvd. on Friday, May 14, 2021.
NORTH OGDEN — A local food bank that sprang up to help people during the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is in danger of closing unless it can raise enough money to purchase the building it is currently leasing.
Tri-City Exchange, 2067 N. Washington Blvd., in North Ogden needs to raise $600,000 as soon as possible. “We need a location, and without a location we can’t help others,” said founder Mike Larson. “This is all about people helping people. We serve between 12,000 and 20,000 per month and a lot of those folks are middle class or elderly people on a fixed income.”
Larson said he and his wife, Teresa, opened the nonprofit food bank three years ago when the pandemic hit.
“There wasn’t enough food in the stores and a lot of people were going without,” he said. “We put together a business plan and it just took off. It was crazy, but now we’re having these issues with the property. We’re trying to negotiate for at least another six months while we continue to raise funds, but now they’re telling us we need to buy it or completely move.”
Larson said he’s created a GoFundMe page. So far, $9,000 has been raised. He said he’s hoping to reach big businesses, charitable foundations or other people who could use the donation as a tax write-off.
“The bad part is, if we have to shut down, there are going to be a lot of people who won’t have food. Not only do we help the community, but we help other shelters,” he said. “It’s heartbreaking to hear the stories of people who have come in to tell us they’ve gone to bed hungry or they’ve only had to go without a meal three days out of the week. We don’t want anyone to go to bed with hunger pangs.”
Larson said food and volunteers are not the problem. He said he gets groceries directly from suppliers. Every Friday is Community Day when anyone and everyone can come in and fill up on groceries.
“We have around 1,000 families a week come in on Fridays,” Larson said. “There is a real need out there, especially with inflation and fuel prices and people who have to pay a bill and go without a meal.”
During the week, people can come do their own personal grocery shopping and get help planning healthy meals. After 15 days, they can come in and shop again.
Larson said anyone can donate through Venmo, GoFundMe or through a personal check mailed to 623 E. 2550 North, North Ogden, 84414.
“A dollar at a time is huge,” Larson said. “We appreciate everything we can get. I’m confident we will raise the money to create a forever home.”
