We meet children and families where they are.
Providing care, comfort, and essential resources during some of life's hardest moments.
Our
Programs
Number of Utah Children in Poverty
Nearly 100,000 children in Utah live below the poverty line, facing challenges that go far beyond the classroom. From food insecurity to a lack of basic essentials, many families struggle to meet daily needs.
At The Hughes Family and Friends Foundation, we provide meaningful support, whether it's nourishing meals during school breaks, gift programs for grieving families, or classroom tools for under-resourced teachers, because every child deserves stability, care, and hope.
Families In Need
Food insecurity continues to affect thousands of families across Utah, and our foundation is deeply committed to addressing this pressing issue. We believe that no family should have to choose between feeding their children and paying essential bills.
Through our grocery program and community partnerships, we deliver consistent and nourishing support to families who need it most. By building trust within communities and offering reliable, judgement-free assistance, we aim to alleviate stress, improve health, and help families feel supported as they work toward stability.
Families Affected by Loss of a Loved One
Grief doesn't come with a roadmap, and for families navigating the loss of a loved one, especially children, the pain can feel isolating. Through our partnership with The Sharing Place, we work to surround grieving families with compassion, community, and care through alleviating financial burdens where and when we are able to. We provide support to families navigating the loss of a loved one through our thoughtfully curated holiday gift programs.
These gestures are meant to ease the stress of the season, allowing parents and children to focus on their healing and time together rather than the financial burden of making the holidays special. In partnership with The Sharing Place, we also help connect families with resources that make putting food on the table easier and less overwhelming. Our goal is to offer comfort, relief, and the gentle reminder that even in times of grief, they are not alone.
Support These Programs
Teacher Appreciation
Teachers are the unsung heroes of our communities, shaping young minds and creating the foundation for lifelong learning. Yet many educators in Utah face limited classroom budgets, often purchasing basic supplies out of their own pockets. The average teacher spends $500 or more of their own money annually on supplies for their classroom.
At The Hughes Family and Friends Foundation, we believe our teachers deserve better. Our Teacher Appreciation initiatives focus on fulfilling classroom wishlists, supplying everything from books and markers to backpacks and technology tools, whatever educators need to create a more inspiring and effective learning environment. When teachers are supported, they're empowered to connect with and uplift the next generation.
Children's Hospital Support
At The Hughes Family and Friends Foundation, we are honored to support the patients and families at Primary Children's Hospital in Salt Lake City and Primary Children's Hospital in Lehi. Our mission is to bring moments of joy, comfort, and relief to children facing medical challenges. Every child deserves a moment to feel like a kid, no matter what they're going through.
We partner closely with hospital staff to identify current needs and provide carefully curated donations that range from comforting items like blankets, toys, and books and stuffed animals, to items that help ease the stress of a hospital stay, like play-doh, bubbles, and fidget toys. We also coordinate special deliveries around holidays throughout the year, helping to uplift spirits and remind both children and their families that they are not alone. Through simple acts of kindness, we aim to bring joy, hope, and a sense of normalcy to children and families facing uncertain days.
How Donations Make a Difference
Every dollar donated to The Hughes Family and Friends Foundation turns into action, compassion, and real change. Your support fuels our hospital visits, food programs, teacher initiatives, and grief support efforts, ensuring that the most vulnerable members of our Utah communities receive the care, attention, and hope they deserve.
Because of your generosity, children in hospitals experience moments of joy, families facing food insecurity receive critical nourishment, grieving parents and children find comfort during their darkest times, and teachers gain the tools they need to make lasting educational impacts. With your continued support, we can expand these programs and reach even more people. You are the heart of our mission, and together, we are building a stronger, more compassionate future for all.