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As businesses shut their doors, more and more employees are sent home empty handed. Without a job to pay the bills and put food on the table, many turn to unemployment benefits for assistance. A Deseret News article reports that unemployment claims in Utah the week ending March 21 reached 20,000 — four times higher than any one week in history.
With so many people unable to provide for themselves and their families right now, food banks have been hit hard. Thousands of Utah families line up for canned goods to make it through the week — and pantries are having to ration their supplies out.
The Young Automotive Group is organizing a Pantry Parade to help restock shelves in local food banks. The parades are taking place all over the Ogden area on April 10 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Organizers hope this fun event will draw attention to those in the community who need extra help at this time, as well as lighten the mood of the gloomy pandemic restrictions.
While big crowds and congregating aren’t permitted, you and your family can watch from your house as sports cars, first responders and a giant truck pass through different Utah neighborhoods. That big truck might be empty when the parade starts, but the goal is to fill it up with food donations.
In an effort to keep a safe distance between people, the donations will be contactless. If you are able, leave your food items on your curb and someone will pick them up during the parade. To see if your neighborhood is on the parade route, visit the Young Automotive website, or scroll through the photo gallery below.
The parade route will actually cover every street within the boundaries included in each area.
Other ways to donate
Because the parade is only happening in certain neighborhoods, you can still donate food items at several drop-off locations. There will be a bin at the following car dealerships:
- Young Ford, 570 E 525 N, Morgan
- Young Dodge, 536 N 550 E, Morgan
- Young Subaru and Ford, 3920 Riverdale Rd, Ogden
- Young Mazda, 4020 S Riverdale Rd, South Ogden
- Young Hyundai, 3333 Wall Ave, Ogden
- Young Kia, 308 N Main St, Layton
- Young Buick, 570 N Main St, Layton
- Young Chevorlet, 645 N Main St, Layton
If you don’t live near one of these locations, you can always find your local food bank and either drop off food or make a monetary donation.
The Young Automotive group loves to give back to the community that keeps them in business. On March 26, they helped deliver and distribute thousands of pantry packs (breakfast and lunch in a bag) for school children who might not otherwise have a meal during their spring break. To find out how you can help donate or get involved with their food bank efforts, visit the Young Automotive website.
