South Valley Services asks for post-holiday donations
Dec 26, 2024, 5:00 PM
A poster hangs on the wall at South Valley Services. (South Valley Services)
(South Valley Services)
SALT LAKE CITY — The South Valley Services domestic violence shelters are hoping the spirit of giving sticks around even after Christmas.
South Valley Services provides emergency shelter for women, men, and children. SVS Director Lindsey Boyer said they can always use donations of everyday items like shoes, socks, coats, hats, and gloves.
“There’s a path that they can continue to walk,” said Boyer, “but if they just can’t get past today—that might be having to do your laundry with the one set of clothes you have every day—that can be discouraging and can feel like a mountain. With the community support we can make it much more feasible for them to navigate.”
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Boyer said one of the easiest ways to donate is through gifts cards that victims can use to pick out what they need.
“You’ve got someone that comes in literally just with clothes on their back. [But then] they need some undergarments, a change of socks and underwear for a couple of days,” she said. “They can go to Walmart or wherever and pick out their own for the right sizes that they need.”
Boyer said they can also use fresh bedding so that when people leave they can take the bedding with them.
“We try to keep a stock of blankets, sheets, and pillows so that when someone comes in they can take [new items] with them. … Then there’s a new set ready to go … for the next person that comes in.”
And Boyer sais it’s best to donate items when they are in good condition.
“We want to be able to preserve people’s dignity. We want to make sure that it’s nice and new or very gently used if it’s more on the expensive [side],” said Boyer.
