Utah State Athletics, Altabank partner to collect donations for local warming center
Utah State University Athletics has partnered with Altabank to host a winter goods drive benefiting the William A. Burnard Warming Center, using athletic events in the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum as collection points for community donations.
The drive, now in its third year, runs through the end of February and encourages fans attending games to bring essential items for unhoused individuals in Cache Valley. Donation bins are placed throughout the concourse during home sporting events, making it easy for spectators to contribute while attending games.
The partnership grew out of a shared interest in connecting athletic events with community service. Katie Hansen, retail area manager for Altabank in Cache Valley, said the bank and USU Athletics wanted to create a consistent way to support local organizations.
“As part of our partnership with Aggie sports, we really wanted a community component to it,” Hansen said. “This was the warming center. We thought they’re a newer nonprofit and that they could use some exposure and support.”
Rather than focusing solely on food, organizers collect a variety of items based on the warming center’s needs each year. For this season, donations include paper bowls, high-protein snacks, shelf-stable food and quarters for laundry services.
“Each year, it’s a little bit different,” Hansen said. “This year, it’s paper bowls, individual snacks and things they can easily hand out to guests.”
In addition to physical donations, fans can make monetary contributions by scanning QR codes displayed on the video board during games. Representatives from the warming center are also present at select events to answer questions and accept items directly.
Tyler Thompson, general manager for Aggie Sports Properties, said USU Athletics uses its platform to support both corporate partners and local causes.
“We work with a number of businesses around town,” Thompson said. “At the same time, we want to utilize our reach to give back to local charities and provide as much exposure as we can.”
Thompson said the Spectrum provides a central location where large numbers of people can be reached in a short period of time.
“If you’re attending a game, there are bins placed along the concourse,” Thompson said. “There are also video board elements and QR codes so people can donate however they’re comfortable.”
The goods drive is one of several community-focused initiatives tied to the Altabank and USU partnership. In the fall, the two organizations also collaborate on “Stuff the Truck,” which benefits the Cache Community Food Pantry.
Hansen said the goal is to provide consistent support throughout the year.
“We try to do something in the fall and in the winter that gives back to the community,” she said. “This is our third year doing the warming center drive, and it gets better every year.”
Heather Crockett, executive director of the warming center, said the partnership has been valuable both financially and logistically.
“What Altabank has done for us is twofold,” Crockett said. “They gave us a cash donation, and they’ve helped us collect goods at the games. Both of those are incredibly important for us.”
The warming center operates from late November through mid-April and provides overnight shelter, meals and basic services for individuals in need. Crockett said the center serves between 35 and 40 guests each night.
“Having shelf-stable food and quarters for laundry makes a big difference,” she said. “We go through a lot of food very quickly, so those donations help us keep up.”
Crockett also emphasized the importance of student involvement in keeping the center running.
“We do not function without the students at USU,” she said. “When students went home for Christmas, it was really hard to fill those volunteer shifts.”
Both Hansen and Thompson said the success of the drive depends on community participation.
“The more people we can get involved, the better it is for our community,” Hansen said. “Right now, the warming center is full most nights, and they need our help.”
With multiple home basketball, gymnastics and other athletic events scheduled through February, organizers hope attendance will continue to translate into donations.
Thompson said the partnership reflects how athletics can extend its impact beyond competition.
“At the end of the day, this is about using what we have to help people in our community,” he said. “If we can make it easier for fans to give, then we’re doing something right.”