Cottonwood Heights residents have until Aug. 26 to donate snacks, comfort items and handwritten notes for active-duty service members as part of the South Valley Chamber of Commerce's "Taste of Home" care package drive.

The goal is big: 500 care packages assembled at a community packing event on Wednesday, Sept. 9, at the Mountain America Expo Center, Eagle Room 200 A-D, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The chamber, which serves Cottonwood Heights along with Sandy, Draper, South Jordan, Riverton, Herriman and Bluffdale, launched the project as part of Utah's recognition of America's 250th anniversary, according to a chamber announcement. The drive has been running since mid-June and has already drawn regional attention, including a Fox 13 segment on July 29 and a Draper City social media post on Aug. 6.

Items on the wish list include granola bars, candy, beef jerky, food flavoring and hydration packets, all recommended by members of the Utah National Guard and military veterans. Residents can also purchase items through an Amazon registry, make monetary contributions or download thank-you card templates at southvalleychamber.com/taste-of-home.

The initiative debuted at the chamber's "Let's Do Lunch: South Valley Honors" event, where roughly 100 attendees wrote thank-you cards for deployed troops. Speakers included Nicole Handy, executive director of America250 Utah, and Steve Rosenvall, CEO of Alpha Warranty and a military veteran.

"It was the little things that brought the most joy," Rosenvall said at the lunch event, according to the chamber. "When you're out there, you crave that familiarity and comfort from home more than anything."

Chamber president and CEO Jay Francis said in the announcement that the project felt like a natural fit, adding that even a small reminder of home would make the effort worthwhile.

Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Utah is sponsoring the drive.

How to participate:

  • Donate items by Aug. 26 (granola bars, candy, beef jerky, hydration packets and more)
  • Buy from the Amazon registry at southvalleychamber.com/taste-of-home
  • Write a thank-you note using downloadable templates on the same page
  • Attend the packing event Wednesday, Sept. 9, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Mountain America Expo Center
  • Register at southvalleychamber.com/taste-of-home

Upcoming dates: Donation deadline, Aug. 26. Community packing event, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m., Mountain America Expo Center.