Salt Lake City — Gathering individuals for a community effort as well as a chance to support educational initiatives, the Policy Project and Young Caring for Our Young Foundation will combine their efforts for a “Service + Advocacy Night” in Salt Lake City on Feb. 12 at 7 p.m.
“We’re thrilled to sponsor the service project at this event,” said Tami Olsen, director of the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation. “The Policy Project’s made incredibly impactful changes to the public school system, and we’re grateful for this opportunity to engage in an endeavor with them.”
Held at Skyline High School, those at “Service + Advocacy Night” will discuss ways to provide children facing hunger with easier access to school lunches, and rally in support of the Focused Student Project — which combats student hunger and limits cell phone use in the classroom.
In addition to engaging in initiatives, individuals present will work together to assemble 1,000 pantry packs for Salt Lake School District students. These meal kits, which provide students with two days worth of food and snacks, will then be distributed 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 admission cost for “Service + Advocacy Night” is $3, and tickets can be purchased through this link. Students, parents and teachers are all welcome to attend.
“Showing up at this event could mean the difference in 260,000 kids in Utah having lunch this summer,” said Kristin Andrus, community champion for The Policy Project. “It could mean the difference of a 14 percent increase in test scores for kids in the lowest income brackets—because limiting cell phone use in school can do that.”
About the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation:
A force for good in Utah, Idaho and Montana’s communities, the Young Caring for Our Young Foundation serves children and families in need. For over seventeen years, they’ve taken action on issues related to clothing assistance, hunger, literacy and teen homelessness. The foundation has donated nearly $7 million since their inception, and they’ve revolutionized how children’s clothing needs are taken care of with the KIND Fund via an app that educators and volunteers access — which has served over 6,000 children across the Wasatch Front and Southern Idaho.
About the Young Automotive Group:
The Young Automotive Group is a privately held corporation that’s been family-owned and operated for over 100 years. With over 30 retail automotive and powersports franchises as well as approximately 1,700 employees, the company is dedicated to delivering an exceptional customer experience and helping those they work with Think Young.
About The Policy Project:
The Policy Project is a 501c3 nonprofit, non-partisan organization that promotes policy solutions that remove barriers to opportunity for women, children, and those experiencing intergenerational poverty. Our unique approach fosters support for these policies through impassioned grassroots movements, fueled by public-private partnerships, education, events, rallies and extensive relationship building. Because many barriers can and should be eliminated, we have the responsibility and desire to work for healthy, equitable policy for the future of our collective children, our nation, and our world. www.thepolicyproject.org
The Policy Project’s past initiatives include “The Utah Period Project,” “The Teen Center Project,” and “The Safe Child Project.” The Utah Period Project aims to end period poverty and increase access to period products. Key achievements include passing a law mandating free period products in all K-12 schools in Utah, making Utah the first U.S. state to provide free period products in state-owned buildings, and launching the global “Period Positive Workplace” initiative. The Teen Center Project aims to support schools in helping the most vulnerable students graduate and prepare for successful adulthood.
Significant milestones include working with the Utah Legislature and State Board of Education to enhance services in over 70 Utah high schools and securing $18 million in funding for essential resources such as food pantries, laundry facilities, and mental health support in schools. The goal of The Safe Child Project is to prevent child sexual abuse. In the 2024 Utah legislative session, The Policy Project garnered unanimous support for Senate Bill 205, expanding funding and resources for child sexual abuse prevention education for K-6 students in Utah.