The economic downturn means organizations that provide services to the poor are more in need of help than ever this holiday season. Below are some organizations collecting donations of time, food, goods and money:

The Bingham High School boys' lacrosse club seeks coats and blankets for the Youth Homeless Resource Center. In South Jordan, take donations to Smith's, 10400 S. Redwood Road, or Bingham High School, 10400 S. 2160 West. For more information, visit binghamlacrosse.com.

The Unified Fire Authority seeks coats and blankets for homeless shelters. To verify fire station locations where donations can be taken, call 801-550-7590.

Trees displayed at 16 Cyprus Credit Union branches statewide are hung with Christmas wishes people can choose to fulfill as part of the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program. Donations also are accepted to benefit other Salvation Army programs. Call 801-260-7600.

Community Health Centers Inc. seeks monetary donations to provide medical care to the needy. It also seeks donations of children's books. Call 801-539-8617.

South Valley Sanctuary, a domestic violence shelter, seeks monetary or in-kind donation to serve families. Call 801-255-1095. The Rape Recovery Center also seeks donations and says training takes place on a regular basis for crisis-hot-line volunteers. To volunteer, call 801-467-7282, ext. 21. To donate, visit www.raperecoverycenter.org.

Arc of Utah Holiday Gift Box Program seeks donations and people willing to adopt individuals in need. Call 801-654-8449 or visit arcutah@msn.com

Neighborhood House, a day-care provider for low-income children, seeks sub for Santa donations as well as supplies for its programs. Call 801-363-4589 or visit www.nhutah.org/supportus.

Salt Lake City's Hispano-Latino Rotary Club and Sandy's Clinica Hispana seek donations of new toys and clothing. For more information or to volunteer, call 801-548-1473 or e-mail drdiazprevention@aol.com.

The House of Hope in Salt Lake City seeks volunteers to donate time, money or gifts for the more than 45 families housed there. For more information or to get involved, call 801-487-3276, ext. 1205, or e-mail lheaton@uafslc.org.

Visit www.utahfoodbank.org to see how to help the Utah Food Bank with its holiday food drive -- from cash donations to a most-needed list to drop-off locations. To help other food programs, visit Salt Lake Community Action Program, www.slcap.org; Hildegarde's Pantry, www.stmarkscathedral-ut.org; and Christian Center of Park City, www.ccofpc.org.

The Forgotten Patient Christmas Project at the Utah State Hospital seeks sponsors to receive a name and information about a patient and then shop for that patient for Christmas. Call 801-344-4254 or e-mail speterson@utah.gov to participate.

Lutheran Social Services of Utah seeks donations of gifts and household goods to assist approximately 40 refugee families, each with three to 10 children. Visit www.lssu.org or call 801-588-0139 or 877-388-5778.

Davis County Health Department's Senior Services is collecting gifts for needy seniors. The deadline is Dec. 12 by 5 p.m. at the Davis County Health Department or at one of the county's three senior centers.

The Ogden Weber Community Action Partnership is looking for churches, organizations and businesses to partner with to provide snow boots, coats, gloves and hats to the 703 preschool children it serves through Head Start. Contact Laura Traum at (801) 725-2304 or go to www.owcap.org for more information.

The Utah Foster Care Foundation seeks gifts and cash donations for its Giving Tree Program, which helps fulfill holiday wishes of foster-care children. For details, go to www.utahfostercare.org or contact nikki.mackay@utahfostercare.org or 1-877-505-KIDS.