The state Division of Consumer Protection has ordered a charity aimed at helping the homeless to stop soliciting for charitable donations immediately.
The division announced Wednesday that it has issued a cease-and-desist order to Helping Hand Inc., also known as Helping Hand for the Homeless, 1800 S. West Temple, No. 108, and its president-director, Michael Jensen, because it does not have a valid permit to solicit for charitable donations, a violation of state law.Company officials have 10 days to request a division hearing, at which time they may challenge the order.
By state law, the charity must register annually with the division. According to the state Charitable Solicitations Act, it is "unlawful for any organization to knowingly solicit, request, promote, advertise or sponsor the solicitation of any contribution for a charitable purpose, unless the organization is a holder of a permit issued by the Division of Consumer Protection."