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SALT LAKE CITY — It literally took a village to open Candy Cane Corner this year.
The holiday store, which serves families and youths who are clients of YWCA Utah, Road Home and Volunteers of America, was unable to use the storefront where it had previously operated because the building had been sold.
Salt Lake City Councilwoman Lisa Adams, who leads the Redevelopment Agency of Salt Lake City, read media reports about an urgent need for new space. She and Salt Lake City Mayor Jackie Biskupski worked jointly to secure use of the former Utah PaperBox building at 340 W. 200 South, which is owned by the RDA.
Volunteers worked 16 hours this past weekend to stock the store, where parents will be able to select gifts for their children and themselves this holiday season. "Shoppers" use vouchers that enable them to pick among the donated new toys, clothing and housewares.
Candy Cane Corner also provides wrapping paper, ribbons and tape so participants can wrap the gifts they select to enhance the gift-giving experience.
The store opened Friday stocked with most items, but organizers issued a plea for donations to sustain the operation up until Christmas.
"Right now we are in desperate need of houseware items and teenage items," said Yen Nguyen, YWCA Utah's volunteer and donations coordinator.
A complete list of needed items can be found at candycanecornerslc.org.
Donations can be dropped off at the store from noon to 7 p.m. weekdays and noon to 5 p.m. on weekends. Parking can be accessed from 400 West.
Financial contributions are also welcome so that organizers can purchase needed items as supplies run low.
Adams said Salt Lake City is pleased to partner with the service providers.
"We invite everyone in our city and the whole county to help out with this effort so everyone has a great Christmas," Adams said.
The store provided holiday gifts for nearly 1,800 children last year, said Matt Minkevitch, executive director of the Road Home.
