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Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. announced several new initiatives today aimed at helping people who are struggling financially.
Foreclosure rates are skyrocketing, food bank shelves are at all-time lows, and shelters are serving double the people from last year.
Community advocate Pamela Atkinson said, "It is basic needs not being met in our community. It is simple things." Things like food, baby products, socks, underwear and shoes.
The Neighbor-to-Neighbor initiative is striving to raise $5 million in 45 days. The United Way is asking people to give cash donations at any Wells Fargo, Zions Bank or on the United Way Web site. Deborah Bayle, with the United Way of Salt Lake said, "There has never been a more important time to step up.
Other ways to help include organizing basic-needs drives, or volunteering. "The people of Utah are going to do again what they've done in the past. They're going to make things happen so we can enhance the quality of people's lives," Atkinson said.
Another focus of the governor's program: housing. The Utah Bankers Association put together a consumer guide called "Home Sweet Affordable Home," with information on statewide options.
The publication, available online, breaks down ways to get into a home through sweat equity, rent-to-own and single-parent housing, making the housing process less daunting to struggling Utahns.
Huntsman said, "Let's reach out like never before and volunteer our efforts like never before and reach out to everybody in our community to provide a little hope."
The program already has the support of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Eccles Foundation, which already contributed $250,000.
To donate money or find out more about affordable housing, follow the links to the right of the story.
E-mail: ngonzales @ksl.com
