KSL Give Back: Ways to give and receive Christmas help


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SALT LAKE CITY — Whether your family needs help or your family wants to help this Christmas season, there are plenty of opportunities to do so.

Accounting for 22 percent of American children, more than 16 million children live below the national poverty level – $23,550 in annual income for a family of four, according to the National Center for Children in Poverty. Meantime, 45 percent of children live in low-income households.

Though these organizations need help year round, Anna Fonnesbeck, 211 Database administrator said, each year, volunteers step up to help with holiday needs, alleviating some of the burden of families in poverty.

If you or your family needs help with the holidays, or you want to help someone with holidays, contact any of the appropriate charities below. Many also have year-round volunteer opportunities.

Quarters for Christmas

Kicking off Tuesday and sponsored by KSL, Quarters at Christmas gives to Utah’s education foundations, programs like Crossroads Urban Center, Catholic Community Services and The Road Home to outfit children with winter clothing and shoes.

Parents of Utah children in need of new winter clothing or shoes can request help purchasing such items through the school principal, or through any of the above programs.

Teachers and principals who see a need are encouraged to administer the donated funds.

Those who want to donate can do so through ksl.com, by dropping off a cash donation at KSL Broadcast House, or at any Deseret Book location.

Crossroads Urban Center
Phone: 801-364-7765
Phone: 1-888-747-8482
Address: 347 S.400 East, Salt Lake City

Catholic Community Services
Phone: 801-363-7710
Address: 437 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City

The Road Home Emergency Services
Address: 235 S. Rio Grande Street, Salt Lake City

Catholic Community Services

CCS fills several needs throughout Utah. The organization has its network of food pantries and soup kitchens, Christmas for refugees and a Christmas present program.

Of those, qualifying individuals and families can still apply for the refugee gift program and a Christmas food box. Individuals can find information online about the refugee program or call either food bank to sign up for holiday food boxes.

Volunteer opportunities are still available in the St. Vincent de Paul Dining Room throughout December, at the Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank and wrapping presents for the refugee gift program. Those interested in wrapping gifts can call 801-428-1242. Volunteers can also bring wrapping supplies for the present program.

St. Vincent's dePaul Resource Center
Phone: 801-394-5944
Address: 437 W. 200 South, Salt Lake City

Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank & Social Services
Phone: 801-363-7710
Address: 2504 F Avenue, Ogden

Utah Association for Intellectual Disabilities

For individuals with intellectual or developmental disabilities, UAID holds an annual Holiday Gift Box program. The all-volunteer program is still accepting applications for recipients, who can request clothing, hygiene items, books, and similar items. The program benefits only the individual with the disability, rather than entire families.

More than 1,000 people are still in need, according to Kathy Scott, volunteer executive director of UAID.

Groups or individuals hoping to help can pick up ornaments with the recipient’s name, age, intellectual age and requested items at either UAID office or request one online. “Adoptions” cost about $75 total, Scott said.

For those who can’t afford to sponsor the full adoption, UAID also has a list of wish list items at its locations.

UAID office
Phone: 801-654-8449
Hotline: 211
Address: 1453 S. Major Street (between State Street and Main Street), Salt Lake City
Address: 5415 S. 4270 West, Kearns

Though applications are closed, volunteer opportunities are still open. Volunteers can serve meals, distribute toys, work with seniors or children. Those interested can call 2-1-1 to find a volunteer opportunity in which they are interested.

Online: uw.org
Phone: 211

KSL TV is also highlighting several charities as part of the station's "Give Back" campaign. To learn more about those charities and how you can help or receive help, watch the video segments above and click on the links below for more information:


Email: crosenlof@ksl.com

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