SALT LAKE CITY– Raise Up Salt Lake City, a community nonprofit-led fundraiser, began distributing $500 cash cards, known as the Salt Laker Card, to community members on December 7. 

The Salt Laker Cards will assist city residents and families who don’t qualify for or couldn’t access federal stimulus money due to their immigration status and personal situations and fall below 80% AMI. 

The Salt Laker Card, a no-fee debit card, can be used for food, utilities, rental assistance and any other essential expenses families and individuals are facing. Nearly $1.3 million is ready to be distributed.

“We are grateful for everyone who has so generously contributed to this community effort,” said Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall. “The Salt Laker Card will help provide some relief to our neighbors who have continuously struggled during this pandemic.”

A report released this summer by Voices for Utah Children determined that at least 2,700 tax-paying individuals and families in Salt Lake City were unable to receive the federal Covid-19 aid that helped many residents through the early days of the pandemic.

The City partnered with local community-based organizations (CBOs) to serve as the point of contact and distribute the cards to the vulnerable populations they work with and who are eligible for the assistance. Outreach may be expanded to more people in the community as more funding becomes available.

Raise Up Salt Lake City began its fundraising phase in August after receiving $50,000 and technical assistance from the non-profit Accelerator for America to set up a financial assistance program for residents. To date, donors include: Accelerator for America, the Muslim World League, Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, Willard L. Eccles Foundation, Salt Lake County, and local community members. 

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