Ashley Valley Food Pantry Moving To New Location In Naples

The Uintah Basin Association of Governments has shared exciting details about the Ashley Valley Food Pantry moving to a new, larger facility, utilizing a portion of the UBAOG BTA building on 1000 South in Naples. “The Ashley Valley Food Pantry has been at its current location for over twenty years now, and serving five times the number of people it did when it first opened,” shares UBAOG Community Services Director Kim Dieter-Stubbs. “We have seen a thirty percent increase in usage over the past five years and do not anticipate a reduction in the future. Expanding the pantry is essential to serving the community effectively. With fixed incomes, reduced benefits, and high living costs, more individuals are needing food pantry services to cover their basic food needs. For many households, it is a choice between purchasing food, paying rent, and/or keeping their utilities on.” A few exciting additions to the food pantry will be a storefront-style shopping area with accessible refrigeration, a dedicated warehouse including walk-in cold storage, improved shelving, and a loading dock to streamline operations to ultimately increase the pantry's ability to safely serve more families. The new facility has 4,426 square feet of space with 3,074 square feet of that being warehouse space. “The bigger space will be essential in storing larger quantities of shelf-stable goods,” explains Kim. “This space will also include a 20' x 22' walk-in fridge and freezer unit to store more perishable donations such as dairy, meat, and fresh produce. We are so appreciative of those who have already generously supported this project such as: the George S. and Dolores Eccles Foundation, Larry H. & Gail Miller Foundation, Strata Networks, Uintah County, Vernal Rotary Club, and a Community Development Block Grant. However, we are still seeking remaining funding to assist with storefront and pallet shelving, reach-in refrigeration and freezer units, electric work, automatic door repairs, signs, and painting.” Those interested in making a donation or learning more can reach out to the Uintah Basin Association of Governments at 435-722-4518.