Thousands of dollars are pouring in to help feed hungry Utah families, but more is needed to reach a particular goal.
It’s all part of a nationwide effort to honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and President-Elect Joe Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday. The money raised will help ensure families don’t go hungry.
This is an effort led by the Biden-Harris Inaugural Committee and the National Day of Service project. The committees teamed up with the Utah Food Bank. And they’re off to an impressive start, thanks to generous contributions.
As of Sunday evening, more than $3,000 was donated by the public. Cash donations are preferred because the food bank has a proven track record of turning donated money into a lot more food than a traditional food drive allows.
With one $10,000 matching grant, they’ve raised $32,000–and are just short of reaching a second.
“When that comes in, we’ll be at $45,000. I’m hoping we can coast across the finish line and get to $50,000,” Devin Thorpe, with the committee and National Day of Service Project, explained.
UPDATE: (Jan. 19, 7:37 a.m.) — As of Tuesday morning, the group raised more than $57,000. Their goal was to reach $50,000 on Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
Thorpe said about a half-million people needed help from the food bank last year. That number has gone up dramatically. He said giving to this campaign on Monday is a way to honor the late Dr. King Jr. and his words that “everyone can be great because everyone can serve”.
To donate and follow the progress visit: UtahMLKday.com