The annual Feed Davis food drive for local pantries was held on March 14, and it was a rousing success for the Bountiful Food Pantry, Open Doors in Layton, Fishes N’ Loaves, the Hope Center and the Center of Hope. The food drive, coordinated with volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and other community groups and run by the Bountiful Food Pantry, saw over 193,000 pounds of food collected.

“We estimate that it took over 24,000 volunteers from more than 400 congregations to deliver flyers and pick up the food,” said Rebekah Anderson, executive director of the Bountiful Food Pantry. “We saw over 700 vehicles drop off food to locations across the county. We had 338 volunteers at nine drop-off locations donate nearly 1,300 hours to make sure the drop-offs flowed smoothly.”

Large metal bins, called Gaylords, were placed at the drop off locations, filled with donated food, then transported to the Bountiful Pantry warehouse and one other location off site. Literally dozens of them were filled in the Pantry parking lot alone on March 14. The other smaller pantries also received donations from the drive.

“I’m amazed to see the work that can be accomplished when so many come together toward a common goal,” Anderson said. She thanked all the volunteers and the many, many donors who gave food for the drive. The neighboring Bountiful Community Church, which is where the Bountiful Food Pantry got its start, was also collecting new and used shoes as a fundraiser the same day. Many who came to drop off food donations also brought shoes. That effort collected well over 300 pairs of shoes.

In August, the Bountiful Food Pantry is planning its annual Pantry Packs in the Park event. Tentatively set for Aug. 8 at Bountiful Community Park, the project will allow volunteers to fill Pantry Packs with food for school children in need in the county. More details on that project will be forthcoming.