By Jessica Thompson 

Taylorsville - On June 9 city officials, including Mayor Larry Johnson, attended a demolition event to celebrate the knocking down of the old Blockbuster building and the redevelopment of the Crossroads of Taylorsville. Many VIP guests gathered to watch the old building fall down in less than 15 minutes. The event consisted of music, confetti, cannons and refreshments. 

When the event ended there was just one problem: what to do with all of the extra treats from the morning’s celebrations? With the help of city officials, The Crossroads of Taylorsville donated the extra goodies to the nearest food pantry. 

Bill Stone, principal of S Squared Development, said, “We were delighted to see the turnout and support at our event last week from the mayor, the city council members, and several other city leaders and VIPs. We are also extremely proud to support the people of Taylorsville with this small food donation.”

The extra treats that were donated were mini croissants, broccoli quiche and bear claws. These extra treats are items that are an uncommon specialty to the people who are registered at the Taylorsville Food Pantry. Candy Caballero, Taylorsville Food Pantry manager, said, “I was ecstatic that the demolition’s kickoff thought to bring the extra food to the Food Pantry instead of wasting it. The treats were gone within fifteen minutes of opening the next day to our regular recipients. When we are given these kind of rare treats it means a lot to the people who frequent the Food Pantry because they have no way of buying those kinds of extras on their own.” 

Donating goods to this facility is important not only to the people who need the food, but to our community. Caballero said, “Having free food at the pantry helps keep some people from stealing and committing crimes to get food, because when you are hungry you get so desperate.” Donations go toward families who have lost their jobs and are in emergency situations. These families have no way of supporting their children and must qualify for the extra assistance. Caballero said, “These families come into the Food Pantry because they have nothing and the food is a godsend to them. It helps save them from starvation and sickness.” Every Wednesday grocery stores give to the hungry by being a part of a program called Grocery Rescue. Local grocery stores drop off fresh food such as fruits, vegetables, dairy and deli items that are close to the sell-by date. This program helps adults and children eat healthy for free when they are struggling. 

The Food Pantry brings so much hope to those who are struggling, not only with hunger, but also to the homeless. Currently they are giving out hygiene kits to those who are homeless. Sue Lane and her daughter, Tiffany Diaz, have spent hours in their living room putting together 114 homeless kits with items donated to the pantry. This is the second round of kits these volunteers have put together. The kits consist of soap, shampoo, fruit bars and water bottles. 50 of the kits will be delivered to Homeless Teen Resources, 50 to The Road Home and 14 will be kept at the pantry for the homeless who come to the pantry for food. “When we help a family in need, we feel very happy. We get looks of huge gratitude with many thank yous. That makes it all worth it,” says Caballero. The volunteers at the pantry will continue to put together homeless kits and would appreciate donations of small containers of shampoo, small bars of soap, razor blades and other small personal hygiene items.  

Donating to the Food Pantry is easy. Simply take items such as canned vegetables, fruit and tuna, boxed macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and rice to 4775 S. Plymouth View Drive, behind the Senior Center, during hours of operation. Those hours are Monday from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.  Donations can also be dropped off a half hour before or after hours of operation. If you are unable to make your donation during those times, call Candy Caballero at 801-815-0003 to arrange another time for delivery. Every Wednesday the pantry receives help from St. Martins De Porres Church with the canned goods they gathered at their bingo game; it can be that easy to help people in need.  

Be a part of the difference to end hunger by donating canned or boxed goods to your community food pantry. Caballero said, “The pantry is Taylorsville’s best kept secret. The pantry is here and we want to help the people who need our help.”