In the heart of Juab County lies Goshute, a place where the pantry plays a crucial role in meeting the daily food needs of its residents. However, currently, the pantry is facing a significant shortage like never before. Georgia Oppenhien, who runs the pantry on the Goshute Reservation along the Utah-Nevada border, has witnessed an increase in the number of people seeking help due to the exorbitant cost of food. As she shared, "When I went to Smiths the other day, I had maybe three or four bags and it was almost a hundred dollars."

Remote Location and Its Challenges

The remote nature of Goshute poses a major challenge. It takes a two-hour drive to Wendover and back just to reach the closest grocery store. This long distance makes it difficult for residents to access essential food items easily. As Clell Pete, Councilman with the Confederate Tribe of the Goshute, pointed out, "We used to have a store here, but they closed it, and then people have moved on. Nobody opened it again."

The isolation of Goshute not only makes grocery shopping a hassle but also limits the options available to the residents. It becomes a struggle for them to obtain fresh produce and a wide variety of food items.

The Arrival of Hope

On Wednesday, a glimmer of hope arrived in Goshute. The West Jordan Rotary Club made a remarkable donation of nearly 14 hundred pounds of food to the Goshute Reservation. Stuart Richardson, who is associated with the Rotary Club, has been visiting Goshute for years, always ready to offer help. He noticed the low food supplies and took action.

"In the seven years that I have been coming here, this amount of food has gone down more than I have ever seen," Richardson said. He gathered other members, pooled their resources, and made the long trip to bring the much-needed food.

Fundraising Efforts and Community Support

Richardson explained that their fundraising efforts play a part, but most of the funds come from the members themselves. "We do a little bit of fundraising, but honestly most of it’s just money that members throw in. We throw in a hundred bucks every once in a while; you get ten or twelve of us to do it, and we have enough to make it happen."

This community support is what keeps the pantry going and helps Oppenhien keep the shelves stocked. It shows the power of unity and the willingness of people to come together in times of need.

The Need for Continued Donations

While this donation will provide some relief for the next few weeks, more donations are urgently needed. As Oppenhien expressed, "I appreciate it, and the tribal members here, we appreciate anything that we can get." Richardson is committed to getting more donations headed to the Goshute Reservation.

The pantry in Goshute continues to face challenges, but with the support of the community and continued donations, it can continue to serve as a lifeline for the residents.

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