A seventh grader in Box Elder County is making a meaningful difference in his neighborhood — one weekend at a time. Tate Keesler, a 13-year-old from Brigham City, has spent the last month running “Tate’s Stand,” a pop-up donation table offering food, hygiene products and winter clothing to families who need extra support.
Tate launched the idea after school one afternoon, telling his mom, Tana Keesler, that he wanted to help neighbors who were struggling during a recent government shutdown. Some local workers faced uncertainty about paychecks, and the Keeslers saw an opportunity to meet immediate needs right within their own community.
“When the shutdown was happening, Tateum came home and said he wanted to do something,” Tana said. “We had people in the area who weren’t going to be paid, and we felt this could be simple — a place where anyone could drive up, grab what they need and go.”
The goal was to create a judgment-free space where families could pick up essentials without appointments, paperwork or questions. That level of dignity and privacy was especially important to both Tate and his mother.
“The whole idea was having something people could come to without feeling embarrassed,” Tana added.
The Keeslers understand firsthand how difficult times can be. “We’ve been in positions where we could help, but it hasn’t always been that way,” Tana said.
Since opening, Tate’s Stand has already helped around 50 people, including five families who received full Thanksgiving meals. Tate even assembled and delivered hygiene kits to classmates at school.
“You can see a smile on someone’s face,” Tate said. “It’s pretty awesome knowing you helped a family with a dinner or Thanksgiving.”
Tate hopes to keep the stand running indefinitely — “as long as we can,” he said — and the family continues to collect donations to support the effort. Tana clarified that the only legitimate donation profile for Tate’s Stand is her Venmo @Tana-Keesler, to prevent confusion or scams.
Community-based giving efforts like Tate’s reflect a growing movement of youth-led service across Utah. Organizations such as the Utah Food Bank encourage young volunteers to get involved in helping families facing food insecurity, while statewide programs supported by the Utah Department of Human Services highlight community resilience during challenging times.
For Tate and his family, the mission remains simple: help neighbors feel supported, seen and cared for.
