Gifts needed for homeless youths

SALT LAKE CITY — The Homeless Youth Resource Center operated by Volunteers of America wants to make sure homeless youths in the area have at least one holiday gift, a backpack filled with items they need and want.

The center serves about 200 young people in the Salt Lake area from a storefront at 655 S. State. The center provides meals, assistance in obtaining education or job training, finding jobs, applying for government services and counseling. The center also offers a food bank and provides gently used clothing to homeless youths.

Holiday donations are needed by Dec. 10. Individuals and groups that wish to donate holiday backpacks are asked to give items from the following list: backpacks (please focus on quality and larger sizes, particularly camping bags), hand warmers, headphones, $10 gift cards to grocery stores (Walmart or Smith's) or movie tickets (downtown theaters only) or food (McDonald's, Wendy's, or Burger King), lighters or matches, water bottles, individual packets of hot chocolate, razors and shaving cream, shampoo and conditioner, bus tokens, facial tissues (individual size), deodorant, nail clippers, gloves and winter hats, candy.

For more information, contact the Homeless Youth Resource Center at 801-364-0744.

— Marjorie Cortez