According to Feeding America, one in ten children (over 93,000 kids) face hunger in Utah. Hunger can cause serious developmental, psychological, and behavioral issues for children. Without access to nutritious foods, children are more likely to have trouble learning, become more prone to illness, and are more likely to be hospitalized than kids who are from food-secure homes. Thanksgiving Point’s Every Kid Counts initiative supports organizations like Five.12 that help make learning accessible and available to every child in Utah, no matter their economic situation.
Held on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, the Day of Service helps celebrate the man who dedicated his life to serving his community. In his honor, Thanksgiving Point hosts the annual Day of Service to support other local nonprofits. In the past, Thanksgiving Point partnered with Serving with Smiles and Granite Education Foundation. Last year, Day of Service participants filled almost 2,000 bags of food in about two hours. With each bag containing four weekend meals, participants provided about 8,000 meals to hungry children in the state of Utah. This is Thanksgiving Point’s fourth Day of Service.
The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service will be held at the Butterfly Biosphere on Monday, January 15, 2024, from 9 am to 12 pm or until all weekend backpacks are packed. Access to the service project is free and does not require tickets. Admission to the Butterfly Biosphere is not included with the event. For more information, please visit thanksgivingpoint.org/events/martin-luther-king-jr-day-of-service/.
Thanksgiving Point supports the Five.12 Foundation through the Every Kid Counts initiative. Every Kid Counts helps make science learning accessible to economically disadvantaged children in Utah. This program also provides free admission for kids with families on SNAP or WIC benefits, support for nonprofit partners benefitting children, and opportunities for various service projects on campus. For more information, please visit thanksgivingpoint.org/our-mission/every-kid-counts/.
