As crews continue to battle the Monroe Mountain Fire in central Utah, a local grocery store has stepped in to support the first responders on the front lines.
GG’s Market, located in Monroe and owned by Gary Barben, donated a full pallet of bottled water to firefighters working to contain the wildfire that has burned thousands of acres in Sevier County. The fire, believed to be human-caused, was still under investigation as of Monday.
The donation was coordinated by Mindy Morrell, GG’s Market produce manager, who said helping the firefighters was an easy decision.
“It was the least we could do to help,” Mindy said. “We love our community and want it to be safe. We very much appreciate the firefighters and want to do all we can to help.”
Morrell said the team at GG’s felt “absolutely fantastic” about the donation and the chance to contribute during a difficult time for the community.
Other team members also pitched in to make the effort possible. Marshall Delang, who manages ordering and unloading for the store, helped prepare the water for delivery. Meghan Delang, a pharmacy technician at GG’s, along with Jeanette Banks from the pharmacy team and Cheyenne, a deli associate, also supported the effort.
Travis Hughes, the store’s retail counselor with Associated Food Stores, praised the team for stepping up when the community needed them most.
“This is exactly what makes hometown grocery stores like GG’s so special,” Hughes said. “They’re not just selling groceries, they’re part of the fabric of the community. We’re proud of the team for coming together to support the firefighters and the town.”
Featured in pictures: Cheyenne, Macey, Marshall, Sharlene, Sam, Ashley, Meghan, and Mindy.
GG’s Market, a long-time staple in Monroe, serves as a central hub for groceries, pharmacy needs and community connection in the small town. The store’s leaders say they’re grateful for the firefighters’ hard work and will continue to look for ways to support them.
“We’re proud to be part of this community,” Mindy said. “And when there’s a need, we do whatever we can to help.”
As of Monday, firefighters continued working to contain the Monroe Mountain Fire, which started July 11 and has prompted safety warnings across Sevier County.