Donation helps pantry’s mission to serve those in need
Apr 06, 2023 11:50AM ● By Becky Ginos
The Ladies of Charity stand with Wanship transportation employees after they delivered 2,000 pounds of food to the Center of Hope Food Pantry. Courtesy photo
NORTH SALT LAKE—The Center of Hope Food Pantry’s mission is to feed and clothe those in need. The small pantry tucked in the business strip off Orchard Drive in North Salt Lake has seen an increase of patrons and counts on donations to continue to serve them. Last week, they received that help as Wanship transportation employees delivered 2,000 pounds of food to the center.
“We’re a moderate food pantry with 41 members,” said Mary Ellen Dworshak, grant writer for the Ladies of Charity who oversee the center. “We are trying to reach the community at large for support. We’re serving 1,400 people each month. A year ago it was 200 – 300 a month. The need has grown.”
“We’re an independently owned trucking company,” said Tracy Cranor, community outreach and loads planner. “We deliver partial pieces of orders to Walmart, Smith’s, etc. this is the second year reaching out to the communities to help where we can.”
The company held a food drive through the month of March, she said. “We donated food, cash and items of clothing for kids. It’s wonderful working with the ladies over there.”
Cranor said sometimes they have times when orders are damaged or refused. “We don’t want to just throw it away. Letting it be put to use means a lot to us. Sixty pound bags of rice can feed a lot of families. We want to help the community as best we can and give them those resources to help their resources.”
The Center of Hope Food Pantry is located at 75 S. Orchard Drive, North Salt Lake. The food store is open Mondays from 5 – 7 p.m., Tuesdays from 3 – 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. The center also has a thrift store that is open Mondays from 5 – 7 p.m. Wednesdays from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. where everything is half price, and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Dworshak said the center can always use donations of paper products, diapers, oil, floor, sugar and other dry goods. To make a cash donation visit ladiesofcharitynorthernutah.org. λ