May Chamber Luncheon at the Kanab Center

May’s Kanab Area Chamber of Commerce luncheon in the Cascade room at Kanab Center had record attendance! The reason for the crowd was that the program was somewhat atypical. The spread from Honey’s Deli was served earlier than usual and while everyone was eating, Chamber board member Lacee Brown welcomed everyone and announced the new and renewing members for the month. Then she turned the program over to Kane County Commissioner Patty Kubeja who said a few words about the new Community Outreach building, which was to be the topic of the afternoon’s program.

Commissioner Kubeja then led the group across the parking lot to the Community Outreach building. Chamber vice president Ron Thomas was on hand with his giant scissors, which he handed over to the commissioners, who cut the ribbon in front of the new building. The crowd was then divided into four groups who rotated touring each of the four departments housed in the building.

The first stop on the tour was with the Kane County Events team who store their many supplies in the building, including the Polar Express. So of course it was a very large area. They’re happy to have everything nearer in town and more accessible, rather than at the Kanab airport where things used to be.

Next, was County Facilities Management which ranges from janitorial to project management. They too were pleased with their new storage and office area. The small parts storage was up the stairs, with plans to design the area similar to a hardware store. This team is currently involved with projects such as the new rec center, new office of tourism remodel, and the north events center in Orderville.

On to the Drug Recovery Program. The investment in recovery and prevention helps lower recidivism rates for those who complete drug court. Rather than just putting people in jail, there is the option for them to complete the very intensive and somewhat difficult two-year program. They learn budgeting, resume writing, steps to getting a job and other life skills. There have been 95 successful graduates from the program that is funded through big pharma settlement money.

Last, but certainly not least, was the Kane County Care and Share. Director Jerica Bauer and Utah Food Bank CEO Ginette Bott were pleased to show off their new space and talk about the service they provide to the community. It is set up like a grocery store, with rows of food and supplies, and carts to be used by participant shoppers. Kane County Care and Share also has two other locations in Orderville and Big Water. Jerica told the group that all three food pantries are supported by Kane County, the towns, the Utah Food Bank and the Five County Association of Governments. She also shared information such as Glaziers gives day old bread and other things they pull from their shelves, Maverick gives deli products, Pizza Hut makes pizzas to give out, and Best Friends supports with pet food donations. She also shared some interesting statistics: in the last six months the Kane County Care and Share has received 12,144 pounds of food from the Utah Food Bank, 7,088 pounds from local donations, and distributed 22,738 pounds within Kane County with 18,351 pounds in Kanab. Jerica works with local volunteers who donated 94 hours in that same time period, to serve 213 households in the county.

All in all it was a very informative set of tours and very exciting for everyone to be a part of the opening of this great new facility!