Balance of Nature encourages volunteer effort through annual collection campaigns; local supermarkets offer their support.
By: Taysom Cummings
All across the United States, a relentless threat lurks inside millions of homes. It grows year after year, claiming tens of thousands of lives. It hides in plain sight, affecting even the most unsuspecting of our communities, and it may be closer than you think. Hunger.
Food insecurity is a struggle that many are unaware of, and yet it threatens over 47 million Americans across the country. In the United States alone, 1 in 5 children face a lack of food on a regular basis, and it is a problem that affects every community. However, there is one fact about food insecurity that is more important than any other detail or statistic: it is a problem that we can fix.
Many nonprofit organizations are dedicated to fighting hunger and food insecurity in the United States. One of those nonprofits, Feeding America, reports that they distributed 4.9 billion meals across the country in 2022 alone. Hundreds of nonprofit organizations, thousands of companies, and millions of volunteer workers turn out every year to help combat this endless war against hunger.
One such group of volunteers, the Howard family, first began their food drive efforts in the Sugarhouse, Utah area. For years, the Howard family and their small staff of 7 team members went door to door and stood at the front of grocery stores, asking for food donations. This small family tradition would later grow into a city-wide donation event after Dr. Douglas Howard founded Balance of Nature in 1997.
Every year during the Thanksgiving season, Balance of Nature organizes a massive food drive in partnership with local grocery stores and the Utah Food Bank. Through a combination of community support and volunteer effort, the company has been able to collect thousands of meals every single year.
Last year on Saturday, November 18, 2023, Balance of Nature partnered with the Utah Food Bank to organize a food drive in conjunction with Lin’s Fresh Market and Harmons Neighborhood Grocer.
“We are incredibly grateful for the overwhelming support and generosity of our community,” says CEO Lex Howard. “What once started as a small family tradition 27 years ago to help local families in need has grown into one of Balance of Nature’s favorite traditions. Just in the last five years, we’ve donated over 10,000 pounds of food to the Utah Food Bank. These remarkable acts of kindness and unity from community members, volunteers, and businesses embody the true spirit of compassion and care for our neighbors.”
On Saturday, November 23, 2024, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Balance of Nature volunteers will be outside all Lin's Fresh Market locations in Washington County and at the Harmons Neighborhood Grocer located at 1189 East 700 South, collecting nonperishable donations for the Utah Food Bank. As you shop and prepare for Thanksgiving Day, volunteers will be ready to accept donations as you purchase extra items to help local Utah families in need.
Balance of Nature continues to support the Utah Food Bank throughout December as well. The company gladly accepts any nonperishable food items throughout the Christmas season, which can be dropped off at the Balance of Nature building at 1568 South River Road in St. George, Utah.
No matter where you are this holiday season, it’s important to remember that hunger is a challenge we can all help overcome. Whether through food drives, donations, or simply raising awareness, every action counts. By coming together as a community, we can make a tangible difference in the fight against food insecurity. The support of individuals, families, and businesses can ensure that no one in our community goes without the nourishment they need.
Let’s all do our part to fight hunger and spread kindness, knowing that even small contributions can have a lasting impact on a family’s life.
