### **Summer Food Drive in Tooele County: A Community’s Heartwarming Response**
**TOOELE — The Power of Community Unity**
In a heartwarming initiative, the **Tooele Interfaith Council** is stepping beyond the confines of its congregations to uplift the entire Tooele community. Recognizing the urgent need at the local food pantry, the council has launched a summer food drive aimed at providing essential support to families in need during the warmer months.
#### **Sowing Seeds of Generosity**
When leaders learned about the challenges facing the **Switchpoint Tooele Community Resource Center**, action was swift. They devised a plan to host food drives at local summer celebrations, encouraging residents to contribute **nonperishable food items** for their neighbors.
> “Our hope is to inspire everyone to donate just a little bit,” says **Traci Hardell**, pastor at the Mountain of Faith Lutheran Church. “When we all give a little, the burden on both the pantry and ourselves becomes manageable. Remember, you never know when you might need help, too.”
### **Understanding the Urgency: Why Summer Matters**
During the school year and holiday seasons, food drives overflow with donations, ensuring that the pantry can support its clients abundantly. Yet summer tells a different story. From **June to August**, donations dwindle significantly just when more families seek assistance, especially those with children who rely on school meals.
**Amber Davidsavor**, a representative from the pantry, explains, “During summer, the focus shifts. Families are busy with vacations and events, and the need sometimes gets lost in the busyness of life.”
#### **Your Options for Impact**
If you’d like to join this impactful movement, consider donating **canned goods, pasta, rice, whole grains, and beans**. You can drop off your contributions at:
**Switchpoint Tooele Community Resource Center**
251 N. 1st Street, Building C
Tooele, UT
**Telephone:** 435-228-5151
[Stay connected on Facebook!](https://www.facebook.com/TooeleCRC/)
### **Inspiring Change Through Awareness**
The food drives are strategically placed at popular community events like **Fourth of July celebrations** and **Stansbury Days**, positioning the need front and center in residents’ minds. “When people see the bins at these events, they are more likely to donate,” Davidsavor notes.
#### **Building a Culture of Support**
Throughout 2025, the Switchpoint pantry has served between **2,100 and 2,800 people per month**. While the Utah Food Bank has historically supplied fresh produce, recent reductions have left gaps in available resources. Community support through food drives could change this.
> “Many people are hesitant to seek help due to stigma,” Hardell mentions. “It’s crucial for everyone to understand that reaching out is okay, and help is available.”
### **Join Us in Making a Difference!**
The summer food drive aims not just to collect food, but also to dissolve the barriers surrounding the act of seeking aid. Consistent donations foster a culture of compassion and community spirit—essential ingredients for a thriving society.
Participate in the upcoming drives and help nourish families in need while reinforcing the bond of community. Together, we can ensure **no one goes hungry this summer**.
The essence of summer should be about sharing and caring. Let’s unite as a community and spread hope one can at a time!
