Dream Builder’s Breakfast will benefit CCS Northern Utah’s programs to help the vulnerable

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OGDEN — Every year, Catholic Community Services of Utah’s Dream Builder’s Breakfast honors those who work diligently to fight hunger in the Ogden area. The breakfast is the only fundraising event for CCS Northern Utah.

Last year was the first in-person event after the pandemic, and “Our attendance was down just a bit, which seems normal post-Covid, but it was so wonderful to see all of our friends in the community coming out to support us again,” said Maresha Bosgieter, CCS’ development director.

At this year’s Dream Builder’s Breakfast, to be held on April 23, John Leonardi will be presented with the Lifetime of Service Award.

“We have been trying to honor John since before I joined CCS in 2013, but he has consistently refused by saying he doesn’t do what he does for recognition,” Bosgieter said.

This year they didn’t take ‘No’ for an answer.

“John is one of our most valuable and hardworking volunteers. He has been the backbone at almost every Bridging the Gap distribution since we started the program in 2014; he helps out with Grocery Rescue on his own route each week, and does anything else we need at the drop of a hat,” Bosgieter said, adding that she thinks Leonardi has been providing steady support longer than any CCS staff member in Northern Utah.  

CCS’ Bridging the Gap program provides a sack of weekend groceries to elementary school-age children in low-income families.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints will be honored with the Humanitarian Award.

Over the years, the LDS Church’s Humanitarian Services in northern Utah “have provided us with hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of storehouse grants to ensure we can keep our pantry and childhood hunger program stocked with nutritional food, turkeys for Thanksgiving and so much more,” Bosgieter said.

The food is distributed through CCS’ Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank, which in fiscal year 2022- 2013 dispensed 2,375,080 pounds of food.

The LDS Church also provides vouchers to Deseret Industries that CCS uses to provide clothing and coats for children, and furniture and household items for individuals and families in need.

The recipient of the Community Advocate Award will be United Way of Northern Utah, which “has been a longtime advocate and supporter of CCS,” Bosgieter said. “They are a key partner in our Backpack Bonanza program every year, collect holiday turkeys and food, drum up coat donations and food drives in the local business community, provide a community grant and Giving Campaign donations, line up companies to volunteer, and work to bring awareness to the issue of hunger and poverty in our community.”

Petersen Inc., the Community Partner of the year, has worked with CCS “for many years now as they hold employee backpack and school supply drives, food drives or make Pantry Packs to feed local students,” Bosgieter said.  

The Dream Builder’s Breakfast will allow those who attend the opportunity to learn more about CCS and hear firsthand how community contributions change lives.

“We certainly hope you will consider joining us to see what makes our programs and organization so outstanding, which are the people who support us in every way, from volunteering to donating their time, food or funds,” Bosgieter said.

WHAT: CCS Dream Builder’s Breakfast

WHEN: April 23 at 8 a.m.

WHERE: Ogden Eccles Conference Center, 2415 Washington Blvd., Ogden

COST: $40 p/p. Sponsorships are available

For information, tickets or to sponsor this year’s event, contact Maresha Bosgieter at mbosgieter@ccsutah.org or visit https://www.ccsutah.org/dream-builders-rsvp. RSVP requested by April 13.