Local Catholic charities seek donations for holiday programs

Friday, Oct. 31, 2025

SALT LAKE CITY — As many families across the state struggle to make ends meet and to deal with high levels of stress, Catholic relief organizations in Utah are stepping up their efforts to support them.

CCS, which empowers people in need along the Wasatch Front to reach self-sufficiency, according to its website, is gearing up for its annual holiday giving campaigns while also asking for donations to meet critical needs across the Wasatch Front.

This initiative provides holiday gifts for all CCS refugee clients and others under the age of 18.

“We hope to provide gifts for 330 children this year and are looking forward to having many of our previous donors participate again,” said Mariza Gallegos, CCS’ director of volunteer and community relations.

Past donors will be given priority in being matched with a recipient, but new interested donors are encouraged to join the wait list and will be contacted if additional help is needed. Those interested in donating should fill out the online donor interest form at ccs.org or email Gallegos at mgallegos@ccsutah.org.

This newly named drive supports adults experiencing homelessness throughout the winter months. CCS hopes to provide items to 300 adults this year. Items needed include warm clothing, sleeping bags, blankets, handwarmers, socks, hats, coats and hygiene items.

Donations may be dropped off at 437 West 200 South, Salt Lake City, weekdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For information, email Courtney Schriever, cschriever@ccsutah.org.

The Joyce Hansen Hall Food Bank in Ogden is collecting turkey and ham donations to provide clients with everything they need for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner.

Donations can be dropped off at 2504 F Ave. in Ogden weekdays from 8 a.m.  to 2:30 p.m. Turkeys for Thanksgiving meals are being accepted Nov. 1 to Nov. 21. The food bank will then accept hams for Christmas meals from Dec. 1 to Dec. 19. 

The Utah Knights of Columbus have kicked off their annual Coats for Kids campaign with a goal of distributing 5,500 new coats across the state this year. This is an increase from the 5,000 coats distributed last year.

The Knights of Columbus is an international Catholic fraternal organization that empowers “Catholic men to live their faith at home, in their parish, at work and in their community” according to its website, https://www.kofc.org/en//index.html. 

“Our Catholic parishioners are very generous, and they know that there’s a need,” said Robert Masse, Jr., Coats for Kids chairman. “Everybody’s increased their goal of distributing coats.”

Typically, Knights from most of the state’s councils donate funds for the effort each year. Those funds are then matched by the national Knights of Columbus organization, allowing Masse to purchase most of the coats in bulk. 

The need is particularly acute for the state’s most vulnerable people, especially the refugee community, Masse said. “With the refugee program they’re coming in, and they have no clue what our weather is like.”

Many Knights councils conduct coat distributions in partnership with local schools and community organizations. In Utah County the local Knights councils gather money and coats and hold a distribution at Walmart alongside the Shop with a Cop program. 

“No kid is left unclothed,” Masse said, explaining that if the Knights run out of coats, “Walmart takes them to the shelf and puts a coat on them.” 

Any extra coats are taken to local elementary schools, where teachers give them to children in need, Masse said.

In southern Utah, the Knights’ parishes have “a great relationship with the LDS wards” who donate coats and funds to help with the drive, Masse said. Last year they distributed about 800 coats and “this year they’re shooting for a thousand.”

Farther north, Knights at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Layton work with the local school district, while St. Francis Xavier Parish in Kearns conducts its drive in conjunction with their Thanksgiving food baskets.

Masse recalled one instance last year where demand exceeded supply, but in the end they were able to meet the need.

 “We were completely out of coats, and I had to call Knights of Columbus back at Supreme Headquarters: ‘Hey, I need 20 more cases,’” he said. “And they answered the call.”

This year Coats For Kids distributions are planned for 16 locations throughout Utah. The Knights will accept any new or gently used kids’ coats in sizes 4 through 2XL. There is also an ongoing need for hats and gloves to be distributed alongside the coats. Although Coats For Kids is primarily geared toward school-aged children, Masse will provide coats to adults who need them after the kids are taken care of, he said.  

To donate hats and gloves, call Robert Masse at 801-910-7885. For other donations, contact your local Knights council.

Holy Cross Ministries “is a non-profit organization that responds to the underserved community’s need for health and well being,” according to its website, https://www.hcmutah.org/.

HCM offers health outreach and mental health services, trained medical debt legal advocates, education programming and immigration assistance for underserved families and individuals in the Salt Lake area and Summit County.

It will be participating in Live PC Give PC, an annual day of online giving with the Park City Foundation, on Nov. 7. Contributions directly support “programs that serve those who need it most,” according to the HCM website..

Donations can be made online on Nov. 7 or in advance at ww.livepcgivepc.org/organization/Holycrossministries