RICHMOND — The Cache Community Food Pantry has received a $20,000 Community Impact Grant from The Campbell’s Foundation, marking another year of support from the company and helping fund a property purchase aimed at expanding parking and improving access for clients and volunteers.
The pantry was one of 50 nonprofit organizations across North America selected to receive a $20,000 grant through the Campbell’s Foundation’s annual Community Impact Grant program. This year, Campbell’s awarded a total of $1 million in grants to organizations focused on food access, healthy living and stronger neighborhoods.
Cache Community Food Pantry Executive Director Matthew Whittaker said the organization received a similar grant last year and used the funding toward the purchase of a neighboring property currently occupied by Trend Interiors.
“We’re purchasing that property because we’re running out of parking space and other things,” Whittaker said. “We’re going to use that as a parking lot.”
Whittaker said the 2026 grant will also be applied toward the property acquisition, helping offset what he described as a substantial purchase cost. The neighboring business plans to remain in the building until about September, after which the structure will be removed and converted into parking space for pantry clients and volunteers.
Parking has become an increasing challenge as the pantry continues serving thousands of northern Utah residents each year.
“Parking is an issue for us,” Whittaker said. “We’re trying to keep up with it, and this is going to be a wonderful asset for us.”
The grant is part of a companywide program that relies heavily on employee involvement. Kate Barrett, president of The Campbell’s Foundation and director of community affairs for The Campbell’s Company, said local employees nominate organizations and participate in reviewing applications.
“One thing that I really love about our process is that it is very local employee driven,” Barrett said. “We really rely on local employee champions” in communities where Campbell’s operates.
Barrett said the foundation has supported the Cache Community Food Pantry for many years and considers it an important community partner. The foundation, established in 1953, launched its current employee-driven Community Impact Grant program in 2019.
In addition to financial support, Whittaker said Campbell’s employees regularly volunteer at the pantry and donate food products. He noted that the pantry recently received six pallets of Goldfish crackers from the company.
“They donate time. They donate money, and they donate product,” Whittaker said. “They’re amazing.”
While pantry usage has declined slightly from 2025 levels, Whittaker said demand remains significantly higher than it was several years ago. As Cache Valley continues to grow, he expects the need for food assistance to increase as well.
“We’re just very grateful, extremely grateful to Campbell’s for their trust in us,” Whittaker said. “They’re a good group of people.”