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Many Utah families are struggling with rising living costs, and two groups are feeling the pressure more than most: Gen Xers and Baby Boomers.

According to the 2024 Financial Literacy Survey, 13% of Americans—including many in Utah—are not making enough to cover their basic needs. Another 46% are barely staying afloat. For Utah’s Gen Xers (ages 44-59) and Baby Boomers (ages 60-78), the situation is even more complex. Despite managing to cover their expenses, many are living paycheck to paycheck. Nearly half of Baby Boomers ages 60-64 report they’re just getting by, and half of Gen Xers say they’re struggling to make ends meet.

Gen X is often referred to as the “sandwich generation” because many are balancing care for both aging parents and adult children. In Utah, where the costs of housing and healthcare are on the rise, these dual responsibilities are amplifying financial strain.

Meanwhile, Utah’s Baby Boomers are facing another challenge: retirement. Many spent their working years navigating economic instability, making it difficult to save enough for retirement. Now, with healthcare costs soaring and the senior population growing rapidly in Utah, Baby Boomers are finding themselves financially vulnerable during what should be their golden years.

This financial stress doesn’t just affect bank accounts—it impacts basic survival. Living on fixed incomes, many seniors are forced to make heartbreaking choices between paying for life-saving medications or putting food on the table. Utah Food Bank has stepped in to help. Through programs like the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP), Utah Food Bank provides much-needed food boxes to seniors like Sherrie. For the past year, volunteers have consistently delivered these food boxes to her doorstep. Recently, one volunteer brought not just food, but a bouquet of roses, a small but meaningful gesture that moved Sherrie to tears.

Utah’s Gen Xers and Baby Boomers are facing unprecedented financial challenges, but Utah Food Bank is there to provide relief. Whether through food, time, or money, every contribution helps alleviate the burden on these vulnerable generations. Together, we can make a real difference in the lives of those struggling to make ends meet.

As we approach September 2024, Hunger Action Month remains a critical time to raise awareness about food insecurity and make a lasting impact in your community. This year, we have an incredible opportunity to amplify our efforts: an anonymous donor has pledged to match donations up to $50,000, allowing us to double our impact and work toward our goal of providing 400,000 meals this month.

In 2024, the financial pressures on Utah families are higher than ever. With homebuyers needing a median household income of $142,828 to afford a typical home in Utah, many households are forced to allocate more of their income to housing. This leaves less for other essentials, including food, exacerbating food insecurity across the state. Rising home prices and mortgage rates continue to strain budgets, pushing more families toward the brink of hunger.

Here are six ways you can make a difference:

1. Make a Donation

Your financial support is vital, no matter the amount. Every dollar donated in September will be matched, up to $50,000, effectively doubling your contribution. This is a powerful way to maximize your impact and help us reach our goal, especially when you consider that even without a donation match, each $1 donated is equivalent to $8.36 worth of goods and services! To double your donation today, please click here.

2. Spread the Word

Share this campaign with your friends, family, and social media networks. The more people who know about Hunger Action Month, the greater the impact we can make together. Follow and engage with us on social media (@utahfoodbank on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) to stay updated on our progress and to help spread the message.

3. Volunteer

If you have the time, consider volunteering at Utah Food Bank or one of our 245 partner agencies across the state. Volunteers are the backbone of our organization—last year, we benefited from over 184,000 volunteer hours, equivalent to 89 full-time employees. Your time can truly make a difference. Sign up today!

4. Host a Fundraiser

Get creative and organize a fundraising event in your community or workplace. Whether it’s a virtual fundraiser, a bake sale, or a charity run, your efforts can help raise critical funds. You can even create your own online fundraiser with a unique URL to share with your network. Learn more about how to host a DIY fundraiser here.

5. Learn About Hunger

Take the time to educate yourself and others about the causes and impacts of hunger in our community. Understanding the challenges faced by those experiencing food insecurity can motivate others to join the cause. Our website features stories and resources that can help deepen your understanding, especially our collection of stories from the neighbors we serve.

6. Host or Support Local Food Drives

Participate in or host a local food drive to collect non-perishable items for Utah Food Bank. Food drives provide a diverse range of items that we might not receive through commercial donations or purchases, allowing our clients to choose foods that suit their families’ tastes and needs. Sign up to host a food drive here.

Your contribution—whether it’s a gift of food, time, or money—can make a tangible difference in the lives of individuals and families facing these challenges. By coming together during Hunger Action Month, we can provide hope and nourishment to those who need it most.

The crisp autumn air often signals the start of a new academic year, filled with promise and excitement for many students. Yet, for countless others, this transition brings a stark reality: hunger. This pressing issue, exacerbated by recent economic challenges, continues to plague our communities, particularly children.  

The Impact of Hunger 

One in ten children in Utah face food insecurity, meaning they lack consistent access to nutritious food.  Hunger doesn’t just affect a child’s physical health; it has profound consequences for their education and overall well-being. Students who come to school hungry struggle to concentrate, learn, and retain information. They are more likely to experience behavioral issues and have lower academic performance. In essence, hunger is a significant barrier to educational success. 

With inflation at its highest levels in decades, the burden of back-to-school expenses has become overwhelming for many. When you are living paycheck-to-paycheck, these added expenses can make deciding between food or school supplies an agonizing choice.  

Back-to-school shopping can really add up, especially for families with kids in elementary through high school. According to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics annual survey, families are expecting to spend an average of $918 on back-to-school shopping. This added financial pressure can force families to make difficult choices. One in five back-to-school shoppers say they’ll use buy now, pay later services options as a back-to-school payment. While this might seem like a quick fix, it can lead to more financial stress down the line, especially as the holidays approach. 

Ginette Bott, President & CEO of the Utah Food Bank, emphasizes the complexity of the issue: “While Utah’s economy has grown, many families still struggle to make ends meet. Employment statistics alone don’t tell the whole story. We see these hardworking individuals reaching out for assistance every day.” 

To address back-to-school hunger and support struggling families, we must take a multifaceted approach: 

• Give food: With your help, we were able to distribute 50.1 meals statewide last year. 

• Give time: Gather your friends and family to volunteer at any of our distribution centers throughout the state.  

• Give money:  Utah Food Bank can turn every $1 donated into 4 meals, thanks to our community partnerships that allow us to extend our buying power significantly. 

By working together, we can ensure that every child starts the school year with a full stomach and the opportunity to succeed. Back-to-school hunger is a pressing issue that demands our attention and action. No child should be forced to learn on an empty stomach. Your support does more than provide sustenance – it helps to nurture a brighter future for our students. 

In the fight against hunger, there’s a new face you should know about: A.L.I.C.E. 

A.L.I.C.E. stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. This term represents working families who earn above the federal poverty threshold but still don’t qualify for state or federal assistance such as SNAP or WIC benefits. Despite being employed, these families struggle with the rising costs of day-to-day living expenses, including food, due to ongoing inflation. 

In Utah, the data is striking. According to a Voices for Utah Children report, two out of three families need both parents to work to afford housing and other basic needs. In 2022, 36% of Utah households fell below the A.L.I.C.E. threshold. This means that, despite being employed, many families still face persistent financial hardship. They are often forced to make difficult decisions, like choosing between groceries or medications, and are one emergency away from poverty.  

“While Utah has made tremendous strides with regards to economic growth and improved wages, for many Utahns, there is just too much ground to make up when considering what it costs to raise a family and have a roof over your head,” said Ginette Bott, Utah Food Bank President & CEO. “Looking just at employment statistics, or even poverty rates, will never tell the complete story of the Utahns doing everything in their power to stay afloat, but are still worried about feeding their families. They are living in the gap between those two measurements of economic well-being, but we are still seeing them in line for food assistance across the state.” 

The need for food assistance surged at the beginning of the pandemic and remains high, partly due to high costs of living. When household food budgets are cut, organizations like ours and our 245 partner agencies across the state become the first line of defense. However, meeting this demand is an overwhelming challenge with no immediate relief in sight. We are constantly aware of the potential for a “Hunger Cliff” – a point at which progress in combating hunger stalls or reverses. We are at a critical threshold and surpassing it could lead to severe food insecurity in our communities. 

 Together, we are Fighting Hunger Statewide, working towards a community where everyone can access nutritious food. Your food, time, or money contributions can make a difference for many families this summer and beyond. To find out how you can get involved, click here. 

We’re thrilled to announce Utah Food Bank Hurricane Valley Food Pantry is complete and now open to serve the residents of Hurricane valley. This milestone is a significant part of our broader initiative of Fighting Hunger Statewide. With the opening of this pantry, we mark the culmination of our multi-pronged expansion project. This new pantry in Hurricane Valley is preceded by:

• A warehouse and three pantries in San Juan County
• A warehouse in Utah County
• Expanded facilities at our Southern Distribution Center and Salt Lake locations

Our new pantry will be serviced by Utah Food Bank Southern Distribution Center in St. George. By offering a one-stop shop for services previously only available through a round trip to St. George, we aim to make a greater impact on the lives of local residents. The pantry replaces the former Hurricane Food Pantry and will be open a minimum of five days a week, making it easier for residents to access the help they need.

The 9,000-square-foot Hurricane facility offers 5,600 square feet of warehouse and pantry space, plus additional refrigeration, and cooler space. We’re committed to not just addressing food insecurity but also providing local employment opportunities. Together with Five County Association of Governments, we are utilizing the 3,600 square feet of office space in this facility to offer additional comprehensive services traditionally linked to food insecurity, all right here in Hurricane valley.

Additional funding for this project was made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), aimed at mitigating the negative impacts of COVID-19. We’re grateful for Utah State Senator Don Ipson who played a pivotal role in securing this funding allocated to the state, which has also supported the opening of three other pantries in San Juan County. Senator Ipson’s relentless efforts and collaboration with the state legislature were instrumental in securing special funding for these projects. His dedication has been vital in bringing this resource to the residents of Hurricane valley and eastern Washington County.

In Washington County, 18,000 residents face hunger, and 1 in 8 children are unsure where their next meal will come from. Last year alone, Utah Food Bank distributed 2.9 million meals in Washington County and 50.1 million meals statewide. These numbers highlight the urgent need for resources like the Hurricane Valley Food Pantry.

We can’t wait to see the positive impact our new pantry will have. Together, we’re stronger, and with your support, we can continue Fighting Hunger Statewide. With the ongoing support from our local community, we look forward to serving Hurricane valley residents for generations to come. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us!