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To kick off "Hunger Action Month" the Utah Food Bank on Thursday built a mile-long line of food in downtown Salt Lake from City Hall to the state Capitol.

The event — which required about 12,000 food items — inaugurates the Utah Food Bank's monthlong effort to raise awareness about the issue of hunger in our communities, said Ginette Bott, the food bank's development director.

Meanwhile, the Salt Lake City Mission is planning its "annual birthday celebration for the homeless" on Monday. The free Labor Day barbecue will be held in Pioneer Park, and the Mission is seeking volunteers.

The summer began as a challenge for the food bank, which depends on donations of food, money and time from local residents and businesses, Bott said. By the end of the summer season, the food bank was up about 11 percent over last year.

Although Utah's economy is improving, many families, including children, suffer from food insecurity — unsure of where the next meal will come from.

The Utah Food Bank provides food to a statewide network of 134 emergency food pantries and agencies.

Last year, it distributed 37.5 million pounds of food and goods — the equivalent of approximately 31.3 million meals — to families and individuals in need.

The food bank also served some 245,000 "Kids Cafe" meals, delivered almost 41,000 food boxes and filled more than 60,000 kids' backpacks to help sustain kids during weekends, when they lack access to school meal programs.

For more information about the Utah Food Bank, visit http://www.utahfoodbank.org.

The Salt Lake City Mission's "birthday" celebration for the homeless will run from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday.

"Instead of reminding the homeless about their work situation, we use this event as an opportunity to celebrate their lives," said Rev Joe Vazquez. The mission plans on providing more than 3,500 barbecue meals at the event, which also will feature cake, presents, raffles, balloons and face-painting.

"The homeless birthday outreach is one of our largest gatherings," Vazquez said. "We serve a lot of people and need a lot of volunteers to make it successful."

For information on volunteer opportunities visit saltlakecitymission.org or call the office at 801-355-6310.

Christopher Smart