Tooele food pantry doubles service amid rising demand, earns recognition as Smith's Zero Hunger Hero

Tooele food pantry doubles service amid rising demand, earns recognition as Smith's Zero Hunger Hero

The Tooele Food Pantry is a lifeline for families facing food insecurity.During the recent government shutdown, it doubled the number of people it serves from 400 to 800 per week. Phil Lewis, regional director for Switchpoint, the nonprofit that operates the pantry, said the increase reflects a broader challenge facing Utah families. "A lot of people are facing food insecurity," Lewis said.The dramatic rise in need was met with an impressive res…