Gov. Gary Herbert joined homeless advocate Pamela Atkinson on Tuesday to call on Utahns who have yet to file their taxes to donate to the homeless services fund that bears Atkinson’s name when filing.
Residents have had the ability to donate a portion of their returns to the fund for about two decades, and the roughly $75,000 raised last year, combined with other funds, helped pay for caseworkers and projects helping homeless residents.
(Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Eva May Densley, 1, carried by her mother Michelle, calls out "grandma" after catching a glimpse of champion for the homeless Pamela Atkinson while touring the YWCA Center for Women & Familes in Salt Lake on Tuesday, March 20, 2018. Michelle, a mother of three who lived out of her car and peoples homes for a time feels blessed to have landed an apartment at the women's center after experiencing violent abuse from her former husband during her pregnancy with Eva. Atkinson is encouraging people to donate to the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund through their tax forms.
Homelessness has become a central issue in Utah in recent years, as state and local officials work to improve services and reduce the number of homeless residents statewide.
Utahns who choose to donate will send money to the Pamela Atkinson Homeless Trust Fund.
Follow @taylorwanderson