Charitable giving in Utah is a sandwich — gloomy news slipped between two slices of real optimism.

First, Utahns have an impressive and touching track record for helping the less fortunate. When it comes to charitable donations, the state has proven to be the standard bearer for the rest of the nation. This past year, Utah Food Bank Services set a goal of 1.5 million pounds of food. They got 1.52 million — the most successful food drive of the past three years. Hunger is ugly. But more than ever, Utahns seem determined to put an end to it.

That said, citizens here — like everywhere — tend to give in spurts. Christmas is a popular time. So are times when an official drive is sponsored by the media or other groups. But sometimes the pantry can get pretty bare between meals — even in kindly Utah. That's why the Utah Food Bank is sending out its thanks, but also a reminder that food, like shelter and oxygen, is an ongoing human need. The official Christmas food drive ended last Tuesday, but the quest for food continues. The bank supplies 240 non-profit agencies and emergency food pantries and 16 Kids Cafe sites with the food it receives. That's a lot of grocery bags. Statistics released in 2004 showed that only five states had a worse rate of "food insecurity" than Utah. And according to Food Bank statistics, one out of four children in Utah suffer from hunger.

The other slice of good news — the other slice of bread — is that the problem can be fixed and Utahns have shown a willingness and ability to solve such ills. Utahns Against Hunger, for instance, would like to see school breakfast offered at each school. That sounds like a solid plan. And summer means programs can help fill in the gaps for kids who miss meals when school is out.

Need never takes a holiday. Like shaving, no matter how good a job is done today, tomorrow is a new challenge.

Fortunately, Utahns have a long and storied history of responding with a helping hand.

For more information, call the Utah Food Bank at 801-978-2452 or go to www.utahfoodbank.org.

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