Bringing together individuals to support initiatives that make Utah a brighter, better place for students, The Policy Project hosted a “Service + Advocacy Night” with the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
“We’re grateful for this opportunity to engage with the incredible people who champion The Policy Project’s 2025 legislative initiative — The Focused Student Project,” said Tami Olsen, director of Young Caring for Our Young. “These individuals have driven impactful change throughout the public school system, and being able to engage with them on a service project has been a meaningful experience.”
Hosted at Skyline High School, attendees of the “Service + Advocacy Night” discussed ways to provide children facing hunger with easier access to school lunches, and rallied in support of The Focused Student Project — which combats food scarcity and limits cell phone use in the classroom so that students can focus and thrive.
After creating postcards for legislators to advocate for the project, those present worked together to assemble 1,000 pantry packs for Salt Lake School District students. The meal kits, which provide students with two days worth of food and snacks, were then distributed by Young Caring for Our Young to teen resource centers throughout the area.
“Eliminating hunger is a priority for our foundation, and we focus our efforts around donating more than 20,000 pantry packs each year,” said Olsen. “We know that when a child is hungry, it is difficult for them to learn, and if they can’t learn, they can’t thrive in school. We’re passionate about making sure children can thrive in school and break the cycle of poverty.”
A charitable nonprofit established by the Young Automotive Group in 2007, the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation has overseen philanthropic projects involving the spouses of Utah’s legislators as well as during events like the One Utah Summit. In 2024, the organization assembled 24,000 pantry packs, and plans to create 25,000 during 2025.
The Policy Project team has hosted six community events across Utah—from Logan to St. George—to gather statewide support for The Focused Student Project. New events will be announced by the organization.
“As Utahns, we invest so much of our time and resources into our schools and students. However, teachers tell us ‘a hungry student cannot learn,’” said Emily Bell McCormick, Founder and President of The Policy Project. “By addressing student hunger, we can prevent its detrimental short and long-term effects, such as diminished academic performance, delayed development and lifetime economic disadvantages. House Bill 100, Food Security Amendments will combat student hunger and promote upward mobility for Utah families. We have the power to end child hunger in Utah.”
