Gov. Mike Leavitt has called on taxpayers to contribute a dollar each to the Homeless Trust Fund when they file their state income taxes this year.

Donations to the fund have been decreasing each year, from $264,000 in 1990 when it was first started to $119,100 last year.

"If every taxpayer in Utah gives just $1 this year, we will have $952,000 to continue our efforts for the homeless in the state," said Lauren Rayner, director of the State Community Services Office. "That is 800 percent more than last year.

The fund helps pay for temporary shelter, meals, transitional housing, case management, employment services, educational training, day care, home ownership training and other assistance statewide.

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For more information, contact Marit Fischer at 801-575-6755 or 801-652-9936, or e-mail at marit@humaniz.com. Calls are also being taken by The Road Home, 801-364-7643.

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