DPS NEWS

UHP’s 1st annual “Fill the Hive – Food Drive” for the Utah Food Bank

Utah Highway Patrol Troopers need the public’s assistance – but it’s not for what you would normally expect. Instead of crime tips, they’re looking for donations for the Utah Food Bank.

On Wednesday, Troopers will be at the Smith’s Marketplace in East Millcreek with their iconic beehive marked patrol cars in hopes to fill them with non-perishable food donations that will be taken to the Utah Food Bank. This will be the first, “Fill the Hive – Food Drive” in what UHP hopes will be an annual event every holiday season.

This effort is in addition to a food drive that UHP has been holding since November 9th at its Salt Lake County field office and headquarters locations. You can still drop off donations at these locations, too.

According to the Utah Food Bank, there are 511,000 Utahns facing food insecurity, including 1 in 5 children. For these families and individuals, Thanksgiving dinner isn’t the only meal that’s in danger. The stress and struggle to have sufficient food is a continuous challenge. The added expectations around Thanksgiving make it harder – it’s difficult to feel gratitude when you’re wondering how to feed your family.

As the Utah Food Bank says, “there’s no better time than right now to get involved and make a difference!” By partnering with the Utah Food Bank and Smiths, UHP hopes to show gratitude through giving, and by helping stock the cupboards of fellow Utahns, being a catalyst for gratitude in others.

Even if you’re not located in Salt Lake County, UHP encourages you to donate to the Utah Food Bank at a location near you or through their website https://utahfoodbank.org

WHEN: Wednesday, November 25, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

WHERE: Smith’s Marketplace, 3215 S Valley Street, East Millcreek, UT 84047 (Just off the eastside I-215 Belt Route and 3300 South)

VISUALS:

• UHP Troopers will be collecting non-perishable food donations and filling the backs of their patrol cars with them

Media Contacts:

Trp. Tara Wahlberg

Utah Highway Patrol – Department Recruiter/PIO

taramoss@utah.gov

(385)529-2145

UHP’s Salt Lake County Food Drive Information