Holiday donation drives ramping up

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SALT LAKE CITY — As the holidays approach, Catholic Community Services of Utah is preparing to support people most in need so they can celebrate the season more joyfully.

“The holiday season is when many of us gather with family and friends, enjoying warmth, love and celebration. It’s also a time when those struggling financially or emotionally can feel especially isolated,” said Mariza Gallegos, CCS’ volunteer and community relations director. “By stepping up to help, we bring hope and light to those who need it most, reminding them that they are valued and cared for within our community.”

CCS operates several holiday giving programs through its operations in Ogden and the Salt Lake area, and has prepared “The Holiday Giving Guide” as a community resource, “for making a meaningful impact this season,” reads the organization’s web page.

The Gift of the Drummer is an initiative through which CCS, with the help of community donors, provides holiday gifts for their refugee clients and others under the age of 18.

“Last year, our program supported around 400 refugee youth and approximately 300 individuals experiencing homelessness,” said Gallegos, adding that this year the organization anticipates helping a similar number of individuals.

Donors to the Gift of the Drummer program receive a list of items needed by the child or family they are assigned.

“In addition to the specific items on each child or family’s list, we gladly accept general donations such as winter clothing (coats, gloves, scarves, socks), blankets and hygiene products,” Gallegos said.

Gift cards to local stores “are also welcome to help families meet various needs during the holiday season,” she added.

In addition to donors who give the items, CCS receives support from Catholic schools and other organizations such as church or community groups, who help wrap and deliver the presents.

“We expect to have similar support this year, with participation from the local Catholic high schools along with other local businesses and volunteer teams,” Gallegos said, adding that anyone who is interested in getting involved with the program should visit the CCS website and complete the registration form.

“There will be opportunities to assist with doing inventory and wrapping the gifts, but those opportunities are limited and fill up quickly,” she said. “There are also additional giving opportunities through Gift of the Drummer to support CCS’ Basic Needs Salt Lake department. Once registered, donors will receive all the details about the children or families they will be sponsoring.”

Another opportunity to help those in need this holiday season is CCS’ Turkey Drive, which this year aims to provide 950 families with a holiday meal, said Durrell Annis, coordinator of CCS’ Basic Needs Ogden.

The people who will receive these meals are registered clients of CCS, Annis said; to be eligible to register, clients must be below 185 percent of the poverty level.

The holiday food will be distributed Nov. 26-27; the clients who wish to receive a meal must be registered and make an appointment, Annis said.

In addition to accepting donations of turkeys and all the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal, CCS is preparing for the annual holiday ham drive. Donations for the Turkey Drive may be dropped off through Nov. 25; hams for the Christmas holiday meal will be accepted Dec. 2-18.

Gift of the Drummer

To donate to the Gift of the Drummer, contact Mariza Gallegos, mgallegos@ccsutah.org or 801-428-1328, or visit https://ccsutah.org/news/gift-of-the-drummer-2024-give-love-this-holiday-season.

Additional giving opportunities for CCS’ Basic Needs Salt Lake department are also available; contact Courtney Schriever, cschriever@ccsutah.org for information.

 Turkey Drive

To receive a Thanksgiving holiday meal, people must register with Catholic Community Services of Northern Utah’s Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank, 2504 F Ave., Ogden, before the end of October. To be eligible to register, clients must be below 185 percent of the poverty level.

To donate turkeys or food for the Thanksgiving holiday meal, take items to the above address weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. until Nov. 25.

Donations for the Christmas Ham Drive will be accepted at the above location Dec. 2-18.

CCS also is accepting winter care kits and warm clothing for their Basic Needs programs; for information, visit https://ccsutah.org/news/november-needs-provide-help-and-create-hope.