Good Samaritan Program sends out annual appeal

Friday, Nov. 05, 2021

SALT LAKE CITY — For more than 20 years, the Good Samaritan Program has been providing a meal, referrals, personal care items and direct assistance to people in  need. The volunteers who staff the program offer the help to all who come to the window, no questions asked. 

When it started, the Good Samaritan Program was housed in a building next to the Cathedral of the Madeleine. Two years ago, it moved to its current location at the Weigand Homeless Resource Center in downtown Salt Lake City. 

“The program serves as an iconic symbol of everyday people who desire to make a difference,” said Darren Williams, the program director, who almost every day is making lunches or  distributing them at the window, or answering phone calls from people who need help.  

The volunteers, he added, “don’t just talk about how much they care but actually put their best foot forward in demonstrating that care and concern for humanity, and they’ve been doing it seven days per week since 1984.” 

No matter whether it’s raining, snowing or sunny, “people need something to eat,” said Marco Weysser, who on a recent afternoon was standing in line at the Good Samaritan waiting to receive a lunch. 

Weysser said that due to the pandemic he lost his job, lost his home and lost his family. 

“Life has been challenging, but at least I know that I can come here at any time and get a nice sack with a meal to try to keep on going,” he said. 

Every year in November and December the Good Samaritan Program sends out an appeal for donations with a mailer that members of the community can return with their donation. These mailers were sent out last week. The program also has an online giving page, https://www.osvhub.com/utcotm/funds/the-good-samaritan-program. 

The Good Samaritan Program, which is part of the Cathedral of the Madeleine’s community outreach, provides “sack lunches to bless those in crisis in our community with conversation, necessities and the manifestation of God’s love through acts of kindness and a meal,” states the mailer for the appeal. 

The Good Samaritan Program is open seven days a week: Monday through Friday 9-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.; Saturday 8-9:30 a.m. and 1-4 p.m.; and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  

Send donations to the Cathedral of the Madeline, 331 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City, 84111. Or give online at https://www.osvhub.com/utcotm/funds/the-good-samaritan-program.  

For information on volunteering for the Good Samaritan Program, contact Williams at 801-328-5633.