In Case Disaster Strikes...May 4th, 2009
Whether it's a recession, pandemic, natural disaster, or other horseman of the apocalypse, Utah is uniquely prepared for survival
By Jacob Hodgen
American automakers are continuing to flounder and drive the economy down, the number of suspected swine flu cases in Utah is rising, and geologists are still warning that Utah could get slammed by "the big one." Time to panic and run screaming through the streets, right?
Not really.
Utah is actually in great shape when it comes to emergency preparedness, and there is a surprisingly vast and well organized network of independent, religiously affiliated, and government programs designed to catch Utahns who find themselves hitting rock bottom. I can't promise you will make it through 2009 without having to pawn your 60 inch plasma TV or pearl-colored Escalade. However, due to established philanthropic programs, chances are quite high that you will make it out alive, no matter what happens, and that sounds like good news to me.
If you are reading this, it probably means that you are still doing fairly well, since the number of homeless people who have convenient access to the internet is rather low. But should the fickle finger of fate strike you down in the near future, here is a brief snapshot of some of the basic services available to you in your time of need. They might not offer you the high life of glamour and luxury, but they can help keep you afloat and well fed.
Welfare Square: Membership Has Its Benefits
Though there are numerous private and religiously affiliated food banks and soup kitchens in Utah, none has the resources or capacity as those contained in Welfare Square in Salt Lake City, which is run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I spoke with Jim Goodrich, the General Manager of the Bishop's Storehouse at Welfare Square, and he says that business for them--if you want to call it that--is booming. He asked me not to quote him directly, but he indicates that they all well-stocked, well-trained, and fully prepared for just about any sort of crisis thrown their way.
Unfortunately for the gentiles, the services and supplies they offer are mainly for use by active, tithing-paying members of the LDS faith. Unlike a normal soup kitchen, no one is allowed access to any food without prior consent by an LDS bishop. However, there is a "transient services" office with a bishop on duty who can authorize distribution to needy non-member individuals in certain situations. And in case you've been living under a rock and don't know already, the LDS Church actually has a great record for sharing in its spoils when times are rough. In fact, Welfare Square is one of 140 storehouses across the world that has helped distribute more than $840 million worth of supplies in 167 countries throughout the last 20 years.
