Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. has challenged all Utahns to step up and do what they can to help the needy this holiday season.
Speaking at the Utah Food Bank Services warehouse Monday afternoon, he said, "We're off to a good start, but we've got a lot to do."
Huntsman said he wants Utah to shine as a state, with every resident contributing something for others. He pledged state support to make that happen.
The goal is 24,000 turkeys and 1.5 million pounds of food to be donated in the state this holiday season.
The governor also complimented Moroni Feed, Utah's largest turkey producer, for donating 100 Norbest turkeys to the food
bank on Monday. He jokingly said it's a dangerous thing for a politician to talk turkeys, but he's willing to take a chance for this cause.
Jim Pugh, Utah Food Bank CEO, said Huntsman has been a fantastic advocate of the food bank, as has Moroni Feed.
"This is a critical time of the year for us," Pugh said. "We have some lofty goals this holiday season."
While donations have remained steady this year, demand is up almost 30 percent, he said. Many of the needy are what he calls "working poor" — those who struggle with putting food on the table versus paying rent.
Kent Barton, CEO of Moroni Feed, said, "We encourage all people from Utah to evaluate their circumstances and see what they can do."
Besides turkeys, the food bank's most needed items are ham, tuna fish, peanut butter, canned fruits and vegetables, boxed cereals, canned stews and chilli and macaroni and cheese. Cash donations are encouraged as well.
Volunteers are also needed to sort food, assemble orders and do other tasks.
Food can be donated at any Jiffy Lube or Smith's Food and Drug stores.
More information is available at www.utahfoodbank.org.
E-mail: lynn@desnews.com