Welfare Square

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints created Welfare Square to care for those in need and is currently comprised of six facilities in downtown Salt Lake City: a food storehouse, cannery, bakery, dairy, employment center, and Deseret Industries thrift store.

Members of the Church volunteer their time at Welfare Square to keep these facilities running. These facilities provide food for members of the Church in need, people of different or no faith that are hungry, and food banks both locally and across North America.

Welfare Square was initially established during the Great Depression. The Relief Society (the women’s organization of the Church) had long led out on the charitable efforts of the Church, but with the depression increasing need so substantially, these efforts expanded. Welfare Square’s larger, highly organized infrastructure enabled the Relief Society and the Church as a whole to care for more people in need at a new scale.

Over time, the number of facilities at Welfare Square has grown—from towering grain silos once poured by hand to the six-plus facilities you can experience on an in-person, behind-the-scenes tour today. Through these facilities, the Church holistically cares for and lifts individuals in need—of all backgrounds, colors, and creeds.

More than a collection of resources, Welfare Square is a place where disciples of Jesus Christ put faith into action and answer the Savior’s commandment to “love thy neighbor” (Matthew 22:39) by feeding the hungry, lifting burdens, and offering growth opportunities.

Learn more about how the Church cares for those in need.