ST. GEORGE — A team of neon-vested volunteers descended upon the parking lot next to the Washington County School District building last Thursday morning in downtown St. George.

Their mission: to distribute boxes of food to families in need.

They were part of the Food Bank of Southern Utah’s mobile pantry, which goes to various locations in four Southwest Utah counties throughout the month of June.

The volunteers worked with dollies and hauled boxes, scurrying in and out of the back of the food bank’s semi-truck.

“Our mobile pantry provides support to Utahns that are classified as living in food deserts,” volunteer project coordinator Lexi Lovell told St. George News.

“We only require they tell us their name,” Lovell added. “They drive up and tell us how many members are in their family, and we give out food until we run out.”

The mobile pantry is staffed by volunteers. Last Thursday’s workers came from two local churches, New Promise Lutheran and Shepherd of the Hills United Methodist.

See the document in the photo gallery for the schedule of mobile pantry appearances during June in Washington, Iron, Garfield and Kane Counties.

Lovett told St. George News about another program the food bank is part of, this one directed at kids who don’t have access to school lunches during the summer.

She said that the Free Summer Meals program is for youth up to age 18, or, “all of the kids that would normally be getting food through school lunches.”

The program is government funded, she said, and no questions are asked of those who get meals nor is there any cost.

The only rule is that the meals must be consumed on-site, Lovell said. Usually the events are held in parks, she added.

“It kind of starts out slow and then speeds up towards the end (of the summer),” Lovett said. “By the end of the summer we can do 100 meals per site.”

Lovett said the occasions are fun and well-attended.

“It’s super exciting. We love getting out to meet with the kids and make it fun for them,” Lovett said. She noted that one of the biggest difficulties volunteers face is in getting children to ask for help.

“We try to create a fun atmosphere where all of the kids feel comfortable and can get all of their needs met,” Lovell said.

Following is a list of location, dates and times for food bank Free Summer Meals events.

• Cedar City: Main St. Park (20 N Main St.), June 3-August 9, Mondays through Fridays, 12 noon till 1:45 p.m
• Panguitch: Panguitch City Library (25 S 200 E, Panguitch City), June 6-August 1, Thursdays, 4:30 p.m. till 5:30 p.m.
• Hildale: Maxwell Park (1750 N Maxwell Pkwy), June 4-July 30, Tuesdays, 11:15 a.m. till 12 noon.
• Orderville: Valley Elementary School (110 E State St.), June 4-July 30, Tuesdays, 12 noon till 12:45 p.m.
• Enoch: Boebert Park (15 E Midvalley Rd), June 4-August 6, Tuesdays, 10:15 a.m. till 11 a.m.
• Bryce Canyon: Bryce Canyon City Fire Department (70 W 100 N), June 4-July 30, Tuesdays, 10:30 a.m. till 11:30 a.m. 
• Parowan: Parowan Library (16 S Main St.), June 3-August 5, Mondays, 10:15 a.m. till 11 a.m.
• Kanab: Jacob Hamblin Park (556 N 100 E), June 4-July 30, Tuesdays, 12 noon till 12:45 p.m.
• Escalante: Escalante City Park (75 N Center St.), June 3-July 29, Mondays, 11 a.m. till 12 noon.
• St. George: Sandtown Park (600 N Bluff St.), June 3-August 9, Mondays through Fridays, 10:30 a.m. till 11:30 a.m.
• St. George: 2450 Park (130 N 2450 E), June 3-August 9, Monday’s through Fridays, 12:30 p.m till 1:30 p.m.

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