Winter 2026
Community in Action
How we’re building a stronger community together
Not all heroes wear capes. Sometimes, they’re just ordinary folks like you and me, stepping in to help where help is needed.
Message from the CEO
“Welcome” is the heart of our mission.
Tackling Hunger Together Food Drive
Kid Packs: Supporting Local Children
Celebrating Our 2025 Community Investors
As I settle into the role of CEO at Community Action Services and Food Bank, I feel profoundly grateful for the warmth and support I’ve already received. Being welcomed is more than a polite gesture—it is an act of inclusion, of saying, “you belong here.”
That same spirit of welcome is at the heart of our mission. Every day, families walk into our food pantries with empty grocery bags and heavy burdens of uncertainty. They may wonder if they will be seen, respected, and supported. Our answer must always be yes. At CASFB, welcome means families leaving with bags full of food, kindness at the counter, and hope carried home.
Just as you have welcomed me into this leadership role, we can extend that same welcome to those facing economic challenges—our neighbors, friends, and sometimes even ourselves.
As the saying goes, “not all heroes wear capes.” Sometimes, they’re just ordinary folks like you and me, stepping in to help where help is needed. That heroism can be simple, like a friendly wave, or can also include lending a hand to someone facing tough times—something our supporters, volunteers, and donors do every day.
Hogan’s Heroes
Thank you to everyone who participated in my recent Hogan’s Heroes challenge to donate $500 before the end of 2025!
If you missed my 2025 challenge, I have a new Hogan’s Heroes challenge for 2026: Become a recurring monthly or quarterly donor for 2026. If you already give on a recurring basis, your challenge is to increase your gift.
The consistency in giving allows CASFB to continue providing its vital programs and services when Federal or other funding becomes uncertain--and even extends our capacity and efficiency in doing so.
Hogan’s Heroes aren’t just givers—they’re heroes stepping forward, again and again, to fight hunger all year long.
Together, we can ensure that no one is left out, that every hand reaching for help finds not just assistance, but dignity. Thank you for welcoming me, and thank you for continuing to welcome those who need us most.
—Tom Hogan
Volunteer Recognition
Our volunteers are the expression of our community values. Each hour of service and every smile shared moves us closer to a stronger, more self-reliant community.
This year, we are honored to recognize three outstanding individuals who went above and beyond in 2025 in supporting our food pantries, community gardens, Circles program, and special events.
Join us in celebrating our 2025 Volunteer Recognition Honorees:
Larry Wheeler, Bruce Fillmore, and Maralee Gardner!
Their commitment has directly impacted families across Utah, Wasatch, and Summit counties— providing food, hope, and resources when they’ve been needed most.
Birthday Bash
On May 16th, Community Action Services and Food Bank celebrated 58 years of service! We’re proud of our history serving Utah, Wasatch, and Summit counties, and this year, our 2025 Birthday Bash theme showcased our belief, “There’s no place like home!” Those who attended know what a fun event it was!
Be sure to Save the Date for our 2026 Birthday Bash on May 17th and help us celebrate 59 years of service in addressing hunger and homelessness.
Tackling Hunger Together Food Drive
Two Great Utah Schools Teamed Up to Fight Hunger
During the month of October, Brigham Young University and the University of Utah joined forces off the field to tackle hunger. While they competed on the football field in their big rivalry game on October 18th, both schools worked together to encourage fans and community members to donate food and funds to benefit families across Utah.
Here in Utah County, donations supported Community Action Services and Food Bank, helping stock our pantries and providing relief for neighbors facing food insecurity.
While the rivalry played out on the field, the real victory was seen in the community spirit that brought people together to fight hunger and bring hope to families in need.
7th Annual Utah County kNOw Poverty Summit
On October 8th, community members, nonprofit leaders, front-line service providers, government officials, and advocates came together for the 7th Annual Utah County kNOw Poverty Summit
This powerful event created space for collaboration, awareness, and solutions that bring our community closer to tackling the root causes of poverty. Participants engaged in inspiring keynote sessions, interactive panels, and networking opportunities that helped strengthen partnerships and build momentum for long-term change.
One of the most impactful elements of the summit was the poverty simulation, which gave attendees a deeper understanding of the challenges many families face and a stronger sense of empathy to drive meaningful action.
Celebrating Our 2025 Community Investors
We are deeply grateful for the generosity of our 2025 Sponsors, whose partnership made our mission possible this past year. Their support helped us provide food, resources, and long-term solutions for families in need across Utah, Wasatch, and Summit counties.
Because of them, programs like our food pantries, community gardens, Circles Initiative, and youth resources continue to thrive and create lasting change.
First Utah Bank
Central Bank
Revere Health Foundation
Tom & Nancy Perl Family
Capital Community Bank
McWane Ductile
If you missed us at the Light the World Giving Machines at University Place— don’t worry! Community Action Services and Food Bank will be featured there again in 2026.
In the meantime, we’re calling on our community to help us sustain our vital Kid Packs program in 2026, which provides packs of 5-7 kid-friendly food items so kids can get the nutrition they need over the weekend.
Robert & Susan Crandall Family Fund
Peterson Family Fund
Tom & LaDawn Painter Family Foundation
Flare Construction
Duncan Family Trust
Mark & Catherine Wolfert Family Foundation (on behalf of doTERRA)
The need for this program is two-fold: funds to purchase the Kid Pack items and volunteers to assemble them. A model that has been successfully implemented by Lehi Serves, NationalDayofService. org, the Sharon Stake in Orem, and others, is for community or faith-based groups to purchase the needed food items or organize a drive to collect them, and then hold a service activity to assemble them into Kid Packs.
This same model will also work for other needed “kit” items, such as Hygiene Kits, Birthday Kits, and Warming Center Kits.
To learn more, contact Lisa Thomas at lisat@casfb.org.
Invest in People— Become a Sponsor in 2026!
We invite local businesses, organizations, and community leaders to join us as sponsors in 2026. When you partner with Community Action Services and Food Bank, you’re not just supporting an event—you’re investing in stronger families, thriving communities, and a brighter future for Utah.
We have a variety of sponsorship opportunities, including:
Program Sponsorships (Food Pantries, Circles, Community Gardens, Kid Packs)
Event Sponsorships (FOOD+MORE Gala, Birthday Bash, food drives, community parades, holiday meals)
Giving Campaign Match Sponsorships
Your sponsorship comes with unique recognition and service benefits while making a meaningful community impact.
To learn more about becoming a 2026 sponsor, contact Jessica Miller at Jessicam@casfb.org
Together, we can make 2026 a year of hope and impact!
Upcoming Events 2026
Utah Food Drive
kNOw Poverty Summit
Stamp Out Hunger
CASFB’s 59th Birthday Bash
Art City Days & Orem Fest Parades
Freedom Festival
Food+MORE Gala