Journalists Preview the Church’s New Humanitarian Center

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The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints previewed its new Humanitarian Center to the media on May 27, 2026. The center provides job training, language courses and other practical skills to individuals from diverse backgrounds from more than two dozen countries while processing donated goods for humanitarian use worldwide.

“We are to ‘feed the hungry, to clothe the naked, to provide for the widow, to dry up the tear of the orphan, to comfort the afflicted, whether in this church or in any other, or in no church at all,’” said the Church’s Welfare and Self-Reliance Services Managing Director Blaine Maxfield, reading a quote on the wall of the center from the Prophet Joseph Smith.

The 250,000-square-foot facility is located at 1999 West 1700 South in Salt Lake City. It is a key part of the Church’s mission to follow Jesus Christ’s second great commandment: “Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

The First Presidency toured the facility on Friday, May 22.

Situated across the street from the previous site, the center is designed to improve efficiency and strengthen collaboration. It includes space for skills training classrooms, donation processing and large-scale preparation of humanitarian supplies, enhancing the Church’s ability to serve those in need.

Supporting Individuals on the Path to Self-Reliance

Zipporah Markus of Nigeria is one of many employees (known as associates) who have benefited from the center’s programs. A medical laboratory technician in her home country, she immigrated to the United States 18 months ago to reunite with her husband. After struggling to find employment due to a lack of U.S. work experience, Markus secured a part-time position at the facility through her sister-in-law's referral.

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The center has been transformative for her. She obtained a driver’s license and a phlebotomy certificate, learned to operate a forklift, and takes English and civics classes to help her integrate into American society. With her program ending soon, she is focused on achieving her goals of securing stable employment and returning to school.

“The Humanitarian Center has been of great help to me,” she said. “It’s really great working here. It’s a great place for refugees and immigrants to start from. This place is amazing.”

Tina Jones, a forklift operator from Peru, is nearing the end of her time at the center. With the facility’s help, she recently completed a medical certificate.

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“The work we do is work done with a lot of heart because we know it is for other people who are in need,” Jones said. “We love what we do, especially since we work with people from so many different countries. We also share a beautiful tradition: praying every day — for our work, for our families and for the whole world.”

Each year, the Humanitarian Center hires hundreds of associates like Markus and Jones (representing 25 countries) who receive practical experience in areas such as production, food service and maintenance. They process surplus donations from Deseret Industries thrift stores, which are distributed globally, sold to recycling buyers or recycled when unusable.

Members of the Church also volunteer at the Humanitarian Center, creating quilts and serving individuals and families in other ways.

Humanitarian Center Activities and Operations

Recycling clothing and electronics

Associates sort 1,000-pound bales of clothing by color, size, type and quality. These items are then compressed into 100-pound bales that can be shipped to those in need anywhere around the world. Associates also decommission and recycle electronics.

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Distribution

Goods are shipped worldwide for humanitarian aid, crisis response and emergency situations. The center also coordinates with bishops’ storehouses and other distribution partners.

Caring Report 2025—Emergency Relief

English Language Training

Associates spend approximately half their day in English classes. This addresses a major employment barrier for many workers.

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Culinary Skills

The facility has a large kitchen where associates learn culinary skills for job preparation.

Quilting

Volunteers create quilts using donated materials and equipment. Annually, some 12,000 of these are distributed to those in need.

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Kit Assembly

Volunteers and associates assemble cleaning and relief kits for use in emergency response. These kits include essential items like sanitation products to prevent disease during disasters.

The Humanitarian Center begins and ends with a focus on Jesus Christ, with special emphasis on the biblical story about the Good Samaritan.

“We recognize that we’re all neighbors,” Maxfield said. “At the end of the tour, as you work your way through and you see the Savior all the way through that, we’re reminded of the same invitation, which is, ‘Go, and do thou likewise.’ We encourage everyone to look outside of themselves and go and serve and help another.”

Dedication and Open House Tours

The Humanitarian Center will be dedicated during a private event on the evening of Wednesday, May 27.

The public open house begins Monday, June 1, 2026, and runs through July 23. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday. During their visit, patrons can participate in hands-on service by helping sort clothing or assemble cleaning and humanitarian kits — work that will support people facing hardship.

Patrons are encouraged to schedule their visit through the Temple Square app (available on Apple and Android devices) or call ahead (801-240-5954). Walk-ins are also welcome.

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