Introduction: Utah Food Bank (the Organization) has been serving Utahns grappling with food insecurity for over 100 years. This nonprofit organization has distributed more than 1 billion meals in that time. Recent inflation and the accompanying economic troubles have only increased the number of people facing food insecurity in Utah.
History: Established in 1904 as Salt Lake Charity Association, the Organization has a rich history of coordinating humanitarian efforts in Utah. In 2006, the Organization adopted the name Utah Food Bank and began focusing on what it did best: delivering food to those who need it most. As a proud member of Feeding America, Utah Food Bank benefits from the resources gathered by this nationwide network.
Impact: Last year, over 50 million meals were delivered to people by the Organization. Shockingly, one in ten children in Utah doesn’t know where their next meal is coming from. Utah Food Bank is committed to changing this narrative. With new distribution centers in St. George and Blanding, the Organization is ensuring that no corner of the state is overlooked. These facilities are particularly crucial for regions like southeastern Utah, where food insecurity rates are higher than the state average.
Recognition and Financial Accountability: Utah Food Bank has a history of strong financial governance, including regular financial audits. Charity Navigator gives it a 100% and 4-Star rating and it has a Gold Transparency 2024 award from Candid by GuideStar. The Organization also meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability at the Better Business Bureau. The Salt Lake Tribune has included it in its Top 100 Places to Work for four consecutive years.
Financial Insights: Generous contributions from the Utah community have given the Organization a strong financial footing. Utah Food Bank has more than $89 million in total assets according to the most recent audited financial statements. During that year, it brought in $145.1 million in revenue; $112.7 million in in-kind contributions, with another $32.4 million in other donations. Because of the large amounts of donated goods from businesses and food drives, Utah Food Bank asserts that for every $1 donated, $9.04 worth of goods and services are provided to those in need.
Utah Food Bank provides many opportunities to volunteer locally. If you ever want to host a food drive, Utah Food Bank has provided a lot of guidance on what foods are acceptable and most in need here: https://lnkd.in/gACwCcCr
As an auditor at Tanner LLC, I’ve had the chance to be very involved in the nonprofit sector, and I am passionate about the world of charities, nonprofits, and philanthropy.