Salt Lake City, UT – Beginning November 1, more than 86,000 Utah families will lose access to their monthly SNAP benefits due to the ongoing federal government shutdown. For families already living paycheck to paycheck, this loss will mean choosing between food, heat, gas, and medicine. Neighborhood House is on the frontline of this crisis with the ‘Fierce Urgency of Now’ campaign.
Neighborhood House serves more than 600 families on Salt Lake City’s west side, 92% of whom live at or below the poverty line. Through a sliding fee scale based on income, Neighborhood House makes childcare and adult day programs affordable so parents can stay employed. The national average for childcare is $47 a day with most families at Neighborhood House paying just $8 per day. However, when families lose food assistance, even $8 can mean choosing between putting gas in the car to get to work or putting food on the table.
Neighborhood House aims to raise $50,000 in five weeks to strengthen its Hardship Assistance Fund, which helps families cover the cost of childcare, freeing up resources for groceries, utilities, or gas. The organization is also hosting a food drive for non-perishable items to fill its onsite pantry and provide emergency food boxes for families.
“We can’t control what happens in DC, but we can care for our neighbors right here in SLC,” said Jennifer Nuttall, Neighborhood House Executive Director. “Our goal is to keep families nourished, children cared for, and parents working during this critical time.”
Neighborhood House is calling on businesses, chambers, individuals, churches and civic groups to get involved.
“We are fortunate to have such a generous business community here in Utah, we are looking forward to serving our families alongside them,” Nuttell added. “By donating, sponsoring food baskets or hosting employee drives, companies can make an immediate, measurable difference in the lives of local families. Right now.”
The drive-through food drive will be held on Thursday, November 6, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Neighborhood House’s main campus (105 W 500 S, Salt Lake City). All dry and canned goods will be accepted. To view a list of needed items, donate, or become a sponsor, visit www.nhutah.org/fierceurgencyofnow or call (801) 363-4589 ext. 117. The campaign runs from October 28 through November 20, ending just before the Neighborhood House Annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner
About Neighborhood House
Founded in 1894, Neighborhood House is one of Utah’s oldest nonprofit organizations, providing accessible, high-quality care for children and adults on a sliding fee scale based on their ability to pay. Through Neighborhood House’s services and programs, families can remain engaged in work, school, and family life while building financial stability. Neighborhood House offers early childhood education, before and after school care, adult day services, and comprehensive family support programs that address pressing issues such as food insecurity and hardship assistance.
