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Salt Lake

We make podcasts and newsletters that connect people with the cities they love.

City Cast Salt Lake

Make Salt Lake City better, one neighbor at a time.

Looking to make new friends? A great way to meet people is through volunteer work. Here are a few ways to give back to your community.

. A portion of the harvest goes to their hunger relief programs. There are opportunities to volunteer from September to mid-October, morning or evening shifts. Benefits include getting to take home fruit each shift (score). Enter the access code GULB 

OK, we’re not talking the animal here. We’re talking goathead stickers (or puncturevine). These pesky weeds have sharp spines that can injure humans and animals. 

 on the Jordan River Trail in West Valley (1055 W. 2320 S.) on Sept. 23 from 9 a.m.-noon.

The Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake is seeking donations for their 

. Drop off through Sept. 22 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at 120 W. 1300 S. Items needed include coats, sleeping bags, underwear, and hygiene products.

Meet Friends in Salt Lake Through Volunteer Work

Make Friends in Salt Lake Through Volunteer Work

Help Your Neighbors

Are you looking for ways to give back to your community? Here are a few opportunities to volunteer (a great way to make new friends!) or donate.

 with Salt Lake City Public Lands on Thursday, Sept. 7, 6-8 p.m. Volunteers will assist with tasks like weeding, cleaning, and clearing fallen branches throughout the park.

YWCA Utah is in need of donations for the families on their campus. Items include fitted sheets for a twin bed, pillows, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. You can schedule 

 on Sept. 30, and they’re looking for volunteers to help with the event. You can sign-up for 2-4 hour shifts between 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Volunteers will get a free t-shirt, lunch, and either a free STRONG class (one class per hour of volunteering) or CREATE (co-working space) pass. 

Help Preserve Allen Park

 is a grassroots organization dedicated to preserving and protecting Utah’s outdoors and natural landscapes. They focus on issues like clean air, preserving our precious water resources, public lands, and renewable energy, while exploring the links between environmental quality and social justice.

 on Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. Learn how Sierra Club Utah is organizing, and see how you can get involved. Plus, connect with staff, activists, and like-minded community members.

Volunteer With Sierra Club Utah

Looking for ways to give back? Check out these opportunities.

Do you have produce from your garden or fruit trees? Drop them off at the 

 Community Fridges. They’re also in need of water, sports drinks, popsicles, and ice cream through the rest of summer.

Burning Sissy Valley is hosting a top swap on Sept. 16 and 

 to help with the event. Tha Top Swap is a collection of donated items for QTPOC (queer, trans, people of color) in Utah. If you don’t have time to volunteer you can also drop off donations the day of or arrange a pick-up before the event (

 to arrange). It will be at Kearns Library.

Are you a Utah business or community group interested in offering free emergency contraception? 

. They’re looking to expand their Repro Wellness Kit program.

Is Your Veggie Garden Thriving? Help Stock SLC Community Fridges

 in the country, with many in our community having direct ties to Hawaii. The Lāhinā wildfires in Maui have become one of the 

. Here are a few ways you can help those affected.

The Hawai’i Community Foundation created the Maui Strong Fund to provide resources for disaster response and recovery.

You can donate directly to families in Maui through GoFundMe. They’ve set up a convenient verified fundraiser page so you can avoid scams.

The Council for Native Hawaiian Advancement will match donations up to $1.5 million. Donations will go toward relief efforts for Native Hawaiian organizations, small businesses, ‘ohana, and cultural groups.

Maui United Way is accepting donations to provide financial assistance to those on the frontlines and directly assist households of those affected in Maui.

How Salt Lakers Can Help Maui

Hey Salt Lake reader and middle school teacher Toni B. wrote in saying, “I can tell you this time of year is expensive (I'm not even going to tell my poor husband what I've spent so far)! Most teachers fund their own classrooms, including even the very basics like pencils. The good news is that there are a lot of websites set up for teachers to fundraise. Also, most teachers have an Amazon Wishlist [so contact your kid’s school or teacher directly]. The most credible websites are: 

Here are a couple more ways to donate locally:

The Guadalupe School serves students and families that are mostly in low-income households. They’re hosting a 

 for school supplies. Items can either be shipped or dropped off at 1385 N. 1200 W., SLC 84116 by Aug.14.

Assemble backpacks for elementary and secondary students in 

. Donations can be dropped off at the Distribution Center (3099 S. 1030 W., West Valley 84119) or Main Office (2500 S. State St., D-108, SLC 84115).

Here are a couple ways to donate locally in Salt Lake for back-to-school.

Salt Lake Back-to-School Drives

This week, help your neighbor through donations or a hands-on service project.

 is a nonprofit organization that runs emergency food pantries and charitable thrift stores. They are running low on bedding, blankets, pots, pans, socks, and underwear. You can drop off donations 

 in Salt Lake City at 1358 W. Indiana Ave. It’s open Tuesday-Saturday from 10 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Stonewall Sports is working with New Roots SLC to make 

 for the community. The service project is happening at the Sunnyvale Farmers Market, Saturday, Aug. 5 at 9:30 a.m.

Give Back to Crossroads Urban Center & New Roots SLC

Looking to volunteer? Here are two opportunities to help out in our community.

 and community hub that operates essentially like a co-op. They’re looking for volunteers for a number of positions including social media, events/outreach, and window display art. Meet new people, learn new skills, and help support this safe space for Salt Lake’s LGBTQ+.

 with Unsheltered Utah for their Street Outreach event on Monday, July 31 at 10 a.m. If you prefer to donate instead, you can drop-off donations before 8 p.m on Sunday.

Looking to volunteer in Salt Lake City? Here are two opportunities to help out in our community.

Volunteer With Under the Umbrella Bookstore & Unsheltered Utah

If you’re looking to help your community, look no further. Here are a couple of opportunities.

Help Esperanza Elementary get their instruments back after they were burglarized. The school houses Academia Mis Raíces, which is a nonprofit that teaches Mariachi music to a group of 300 students. It’s estimated that 

 in Salt Lake City provides meals for youth ages 15-22 who are at risk of experiencing homelessness. You can sign up with a group of up to 10 to help prepare and serve breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Volunteers must be 16 or older.

 to participate in a racial equity assessment. The study will help identify where resources are needed in order to combat inequity. Participants should live in Salt Lake County and identify as or be closely related to QTBIPOC (queer, trans, Black, Indigenous, people of color). Those chosen for the role will be compensated.

Help Esperanza Elementary Pay For New Instruments

 this Saturday, July 15 from 9 a.m.- noon at Canyon Rim Park. This big annual event brings community members together to work on different service projects.

Bring the whole family! There will be food trucks, live music, bounce houses, and yard games.  If you’re unable to attend, you can still 

. Below is a short description of each service project.

 (like movie night or game night kits) that support mental health and family connectedness.

Kids are encouraged to participate in this 

 utility boxes and a mural on the south wall at Canyon Rim Park.

 and scarves to donate to our refugee community this winter. You can also bring your own gently used items.

Assemble summer hazard first aid kits and fill two emergency cache containers in the Canyon Rim area. They will include items for things like tick bites, snake bites, bee stings, burns, etc.