SMITHFIELD – Birch Creek Golf Course donated $20,000 to the Cache Community Food Pantry on Wednesday, helping the pantry serve people throughout Northern Utah facing food insecurity. The money came from a Birdies for Backpack golf tournament held earlier this year.
Head Golf Pro Eric Kleven at Birch Creek Golf Course said he used his AMK Foundation as a vehicle to get the money for the food pantry. The AMK Foundation generates a lot of money for charities in and out of the valley.
“Last year we raised about $18,000 for the food pantry,” Kleven said. “This year we had a little better turnout and raised more money.”
His AMK Foundation is named for his daughter, Ashlin Mae Kleven, who was born with a disability.
He formed the nonprofit 501c 20 years ago and has been able to give money to several charities over the years. It also gives Kleven an opportunity to raise funds through different golf-related activities.
The foundation has raised over a million dollars for Shriners Hospital and for children with disabilities, locally, too.
“We have an adaptive ski area at Beaver Mountain Ski area for kids with disabilities,” he said. “We also have a townhouse in Bear Lake that is for children with disabilities.”
Kleven also does a lot of work with Common Ground Outdoor Adventures in Logan.
The donation to the Cache Community Food Pantry comes at a good time as people relying on SNAP benefits and other food supplements are in short supply for the holidays.