Generous donations from Harmons’ customers and associates netted a record-breaking donation of $294,000 in funds and meals to Utah Food Bank during its annual Give-a-Gobble fundraiser.
Every year during the month of November, Harmons customers donate at checkout registers to help feed Utah families with Harmons pledging to donate a matching amount. This year Harmons doubled its annual match and pledged $20,000.
A portion of donations from Give-a-Gobble go toward Thanksgiving meals. This year, 3,000 holiday meals were distributed to families in need the day before Thanksgiving during the annual “Turkey Toss” food distribution event at the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake City. And more than $225,000 cash gift was donated to Utah Food Bank.
“We cannot thank Harmons and their customers enough for this remarkable donation, which will provide close to 932,000 meals,” said Ginette Bott, Utah Food Bank president & CEO. “With 511,000 Utahns facing hunger, this donation comes at a crucial time. Harmons has been a true partner in Fighting Hunger Statewide for over 10 years, and we look forward to our continued partnership in the future.”
“For nearly a decade, Give-a-Gobble has been a Harmons tradition in our stores for our associates and customers to get involved and help provide Thanksgiving dinners to families in our community,” said Bob Harmon, chairman for the customer. “This year has posed many challenges and the need was exceedingly great. There are not words for how thankful we are for the generosity of our customers and how rewarding it was to be able to deliver the biggest donation ever to Utah Food Bank.”
While Give-a-Gobble has concluded for another year, hunger and food insecurity remains a year-round issue and Harmons has in all 19 stores Utah Food Bank donation barrels available for nonperishable food donations. Harmons also participates in the Grocery Rescue program where consumable but nonsalable food is donated weekly to Utah Food Bank for distribution throughout the state.