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- Juab County will continue to support CUFS in upcoming year
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By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
Juab County agreed to pay $10,246 to Central Utah Food Sharing (CUFS) for the coming budget year.
"For over 20 years," said Roene Shaw, Executive Director of CUFS, in a letter she sent to Juab County Commissioners, "CUFS has been the lead organization in providing essential food supplies for needy families in our part of the State of Utah."
In Juab County alone, the organization provides life-sustaining goods to about 100 families. The CUFS mission is vital to the health and well-being of those who are least able to provide for themselves, she said.
"As you are aware, funding cuts from state and federal sources have made it very difficult for us to remain financially viable," she said.
Last year, CUFS asked counties the organization serves to make a generous donation to help CUFS to continue providing the life-sustaining service.
"We appreciate, so much, Juab County's generous response to that request," said Shaw.
The Juab County donation, and those of other counties, made it possible to cover basic operating expenses, such as utilities, insurance, fuels for vehicles, and staff expenses.
"We are in need of your help again," said Shaw. "As you proceed with your budget deliberations for the coming year, we are requesting a contribution to CUFS in an amount equal to $1 for each of your county's residents."
Based on the 2010 Census, the amount requested for Juab County is $10,246.
"With the support of our counties," said Shaw, "we are confident that we can raise the remaining budget through private grants, individual donations, and support from individual communities."
For example, she said, the city of Richfield budgeted a $3,800 donation again this year.
"While we know that you are unable to commit budget expenditures for future commissions, we would ask that your intent be to make this an annual investment into this vital program for all your residents," Shaw said.
While contributions are directed to CUFS, each individual county's food pantry will continue to receive the direct benefits of the service that the organization provides.
Shaw said that she was willing to attend a commission meeting in order to answer further questions.
Chad Winn, commission chairman, said that as the commission addressed the budget for the year, they had determined that they would continue to support CUFS on behalf of Juab County residents, so that the same level of service could be maintained.
All commissioners voted in favor of continuing the donation for the coming year.
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