Mary Kava is the new food bank director

By PATSY STODDARD Editor

The Emery County Food Bank has a new director, Mary Kava. Kava explained how things work at the food bank, “Some of the food comes from the United States Department of Agriculture. Food drives in the community like the high school and the scouts, Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and other groups help raise food. The Utah Food Bank contributes to the food here as well as local stores. The stores donate food that has expired, but still has a shelf life. We also receive day old bread from them which we place in the freezer. Anyone in need is eligible for a food box. Stewart’s Market has a bin where you can purchase extra food to donate to the food bank. You place your purchases in the box and we receive those donations.
“The ladies from the Carbon County food bank came over here and helped when this center was without a director. We had a lot of coffee here, so we did a trade with the Carbon food bank for something we use more.
“We also give out emergency boxes, if a family has an emergency they can come here for help. Sometimes we have extra items and special food items, like cookie bars and other treats. We spread these items out and put a couple in each of the food boxes. Sometimes personal items are donated like deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, diapers and formula.
“We partner with other groups including the early intervention and the women’s shelter. We have a shelf in the lobby of extra items and when people come in they can choose two items off the shelf. Anyone can come in and get a box.
“We try to sort our items so those with a shorter shelf life are used up first. We put canned items with the nearest expiration dates in the boxes first. Sometimes we get baby formula and we try to find people who need it, because it has a short shelf life.
“We have canned items of fruits, vegetables, sauces, tuna and meats. We have a partnership with the Bishop’s Storehouse and when their items need to be used up they bring them down to us and we distribute them. That way it helps us out a lot and helps them rotate their stock.
“We are in need of volunteers here at the food bank. I can meet you here anytime. If you have a scout group, school clubs, church groups or individuals. You can help out around the food bank. We need people to sort food, make-up boxes, run the fork lift, stock shelves and even pull weeds out in the parking lot and out back. We would like to start a community garden here. We also accept extra produce you might have from your home gardens. We can help distribute it. If we aren’t here, just leave it at the door and we’ll take care of it.
“We have a really great area here where people like to get in and help out. If you are looking for an eagle project, we can find you something here.
“Our hours are Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from noon-4 p.m. and I can open up anytime for service groups.
“We sometimes have dairy items here, and we have frozen food. We try to put a frozen meat item with each of the boxes. If you are over 60 and a senior with low income or special needs, there are special boxes available. These kits contain rice, long storage milk which doesn’t have to be refrigerated and other items. We have frozen Chinese food, hot dogs, chicken, bacon, hamburger, ham and around the holidays we have turkeys. We even have frozen apple slices for making desserts.
You’re allowed to pick up a box once a month as needed. We have a large storage upstairs, too and we try to rotate our products.
“When our patrons come in they are asked to sign in to receive their box. They fill out applications and we need some verification like rent slips and income criteria. But, we don’t turn away anyone in need, because with people losing their jobs, family situations can change very quickly. We have 170 active clients that receive a food box each month. We can also assist clients in getting any other help they might need or point them in the right direction.
“We have many contacts and work closely with several agencies. The stores are so great to work with, we call it grocery rescue when we get items from them that we can distribute,” said Kava.
Kava wants to recognize those groups that have food drives. She will be giving plaques of appreciation. She is also going to become more involved with the schools and furnish ideas for contests and incentives between classes to raise the spirit of competition and collect more food for donations. She would also like help hosting an angel tree during the holidays.
When she worked at Stewarts Market a few years back she remembers the students coming in and purchasing all the flour in the store to add to the weight of their food drive totals.
“The mission at the food bank is to help people. I can also be here for volunteer work on Saturdays. At the food bank, we hold one cooking class each month on the third Wednesday. Barbra Jones and Christine Jensen from the Extension Office will come and offer recipes and ideas for using the commodities. They also hold a Festive Friday event, men are invited, at the county building and teach cooking classes in the summer for children at some of the elementary schools. We really want to get the word out on what we do here.
“You don’t have to be afraid to come in here, or feel bad that you need the help. Just know we are here to help. We all need to pitch together to keep our communities alive. If we can’t help you, we will find someone who can. I am also on the disability council, there are people there with resources and contacts to help people.
“One great thing about the food bank is it frees money up for other uses. If you don’t have to spend as much on food, you can use the money for bills and other needs.
“Another thing I would like to do is gather backpacks and school supplies at back to school time, so every child can go back to school with a new backpack. I want to build a good team of agencies and volunteers.
“Back in Nebraska there was a high school class that tackled recycling in their rural community. They recycled bottles, newspaper, plastic and other items.
“This has grown to having five full time employees and the high school kids and teachers still oversee the program. I want to look at ideas that will benefit people,” said Kava.
The Emery County food bank is operated through the Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments.
The food bank number is 381-5410.