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Youth from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints gathered in Salt Lake City on January 14, 2025, to package one million meals for the Utah Food Bank. This event was part of a special youth night sponsored by Silicon Slopes, an organization representing Utah's business community.
Representatives from the global Young Women and Young Men organizations were present. Emily Belle Freeman, Young Women General President, highlighted the joy experienced during the event. "If you can look outside of yourself and serve someone else, for some reason that brings so much joy, and you feel that when you walk in this room — that joy of being involved in something so important for our own community," she said.
The meals will be distributed across Utah's 29 counties through the Utah Food Bank. Ginette Bott, CEO of the Utah Food Bank, emphasized the importance of collaboration in addressing food insecurity affecting approximately 415,000 Utahns. "Businesses, religious groups, families — we all need to come together. It's collaboration. This is how we fight hunger in Utah," Bott stated.
This marks the fifth year that this event has been organized by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Utah Food Bank, and Silicon Slopes. An estimated 10,000 people are expected to participate over several days.
President Freeman praised the enthusiasm of the youth involved in the project. They engaged with music while working and celebrated milestones by ringing a bell as they completed meal packages. "But they also know they’re here for something important, and that is to help feed families in Utah, our neighbors, our community, the kids they go to school with," she added.
Participant Gracie Hampton expressed her hopes for those receiving the meals: "I really hope that everything is OK and that this food helps them."
Young Men General President Steven J. Lund noted today's youth are eager to contribute positively to society. "They want to get their hands dirty and get out and actually be part of the solution," he said. "They love to get out and help other people."
