MURRAY — The new Deseret Industries in Murray held a dedication service Tuesday night to prepare for its grand opening today.
Presiding Bishop H. David Burton of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints spoke and offered the dedicatory prayer for the service. He said Deseret Industries provides needed help to the poor.
"(Deseret Industries) is one of the components of the tool belt bishops and stake presidents have in helping those in need," he said.
Other local leaders spoke as well, emphasizing the hope Deseret Industries can bring to people in need. Charlie McQuinn, the agent stake president over the new facility and president of the Cottonwood Heights LDS Stake, said Deseret Industries has a five-fold mission: training, non-food bishop storehouses, service opportunities, humanitarian efforts and thrift store.
The original Murray Deseret Industries was erected in 1972 at the same location as the new store, 4485 S. Main. Construction began on the new store in June 2006 and finished in June of this year.
The new facility encompasses 23 stakes and two welfare regions, allowing for service and training. The largest of the nine Deseret Industries in the Salt Lake Valley, it will employ about 150 people and will open a humanitarian center in October.
Deseret Industries employees receive funded educational opportunities and skilled training while working at the store.
"One hundred percent of the money taken in goes to help training," McQuinn said.
People who need training and work skills are specifically hired by Deseret Industries to help them help themselves.
Management and production at the facility allows the employees to understand work processes, said Richard McKenna, director of Deseret Industries.
"The magic of a Deseret Industries store comes down to the volunteers that come," he said.
Deseret Industries tries to benefit the community through partnerships with 26 charitable organizations, such as Jewish Family Services, shelters for battered women, Catholic Community Services and many others throughout the Salt Lake area. The organizations are given vouchers from Deseret Industries, and those in need of services can go to the store and select items for free. Vouchers generally range from $20 to $30, McKenna said.
The Murray Deseret Industries has been a flagship store in the Salt Lake Valley and is the most popular for both shopping and donating. On a busy Saturday the store sees an average of 1,500 cars that drop off donations, and averages between 600 and 700 cars during the week, said Rick Turnbow, field group manager for Deseret Industries.
E-mail: csmith@desnews.com