LOCAL NEWS

Pandemic Forces Utah Nonprofit To Find New Home

Feb 4, 2021, 6:49 PM | Updated: 8:08 pm

LOGAN, Utah – The pandemic has hit numerous businesses and families hard, and now it’s forced a Cache Valley nonprofit out of the building where it has helped so many — unless someone swoops in to save the day.

That staff at Jump the Moon do not have long to finish packing up their Logan shop.

The nonprofit, which helped people with challenges find ways to express themselves through art, has struggled to pay the rent because the pandemic has drastically cut the number of people it can help.

Artist Michael Bingham has been able to find value in what some people discard. It’s apparent in his 800-pound astronaut.

“I found years ago that I really enjoy taking those things that other people have thrown away,” Bingham said.

He has also taken in people with so-called disabilities and shown them value. “Although I can hardly say that word. I don’t like the word disability. I really prefer diverse abilities,” he explained.

He and his staff of volunteers helped a lot of people before COVID-19. People like Keyona Eccles, whom KSL featured in a 2019 story as she discovered how to paint while in a motorized wheelchair.

“There are people in our society that maybe we underestimate because they have such a severe challenge,” Bingham said.

Artist Michael Bingham. (KSL-TV)

He has found their potential. It’s obvious all over his gallery.

Now the pandemic has impacted his work and he can no longer afford the cost to keep going in this building.

Talking about it made Bingham emotional. “You’ve just got me thinking about the number of friends that I’ve met here, that … mean so much.”

Those friends discovered their inner artist. What he got in return was hard to put into words.

“The things that they’re teaching me are way greater than anything I’m giving them,” Bingham said.

Now he’s had to do something he’s not used to — asking others for help.

“This place can be replaced. I just don’t want to stop working with and being with the people that make this place really cool,” he said.

Bingham has only days to pack up the studio, with no plans for a future site.

Some of the friends that he’s made over the years will come by for the last time in this building on Saturday.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

Staff at Dugway Proving Grounds find several hundred struggling and dead eared grebes on April 15, ...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

As many as 25,000 grebes killed by bird flu within Great Salt Lake, Utah officials say

Utah wildlife officials estimate 15,000 to 25,000 eared grebes have died in recent months from a highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak across the Great Salt Lake, causing dead birds to pile up throughout the vital bird habitat.

3 hours ago

Salt Lake County Search and Rescue responds to an avalanche fatality in Big Cottonwood Canyon on Sa...

Becky Bruce

Avalanche danger to remain “considerable” across Utah, forecaster says

Forecasters expect "considerable" avalanche danger for at least a couple more days, after an active weekend for slides.

10 hours ago

Fresh snow in Franklin Basin on Wednesday, Nov. 27, 2024. Search and rescue teams are searching for...

Kennedy Camarena

14-year-old snowmobiler found after overnight search

Search and rescue teams are searching for a young snowmobiler who went missing while with his family and friends.

11 hours ago

Respiratory illnesses such as the flu, COVID-19, and RSV are on the rise across the U.S....

Michelle Lee

Simple ways to keep respiratory illnesses away

Let’s Get Moving Host Maria Shilaos spoke with Nicole Henry with CVS to learn what we can do to protect ourselves from respiratory illnesses.

12 hours ago

Skiers compete at the Dear Valley World Cup....

Emma Benson

‘Super Bowl of freestyle’: World’s best skiers compete at Deer Valley World Cup

The Super Bowl may be tomorrow, but they call this the Super Bowl of freestyle skiing.

21 hours ago

Construction work on the Cottage Homes development in Sandy on Dec. 9. A study led by a University ...

Logan Stefanich, KSL.com

Mass deportation negatively impacts housing availability, affordability, jobs, Utah study says

A month before President Donald Trump officially took office on Jan. 20, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox reinforced the state's plans to aid the Trump administration in deporting undocumented immigrants living in the country en masse.

22 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

holiday gift basket with blue tissue paper and gingerbread cookies...

Kneaders Bakery & Cafe

Holiday hacks for a stress-free season

Get more out of your time with family and loved ones over the holidays by following these tips for a stress-free season.

2 computer techs in a computer shop holding up a computer server with the "hang loose" sign...

PC Laptops

A comprehensive guide to choosing the right computer

With these tips, choosing the right computer that fits your needs and your budget will be easier than ever.

crowds of people in a German style Christmas market...

This Is The Place Heritage Park

Celebrate Christkindlmarket at This Is The Place Heritage Park!

The Christkindlmarket is an annual holiday celebration influenced by German traditions and generous giving.

Image of pretty woman walking in snowy mountains. Portrait of female wearing warm winter earmuff, r...

Lighting Design

Brighten your mood this winter with these lighting tricks

Read our lighting tips on how to brighten your mood in the winter if you are experiencing seasonal affective disorder.

A kitchen with a washer and dryer and a refrigerator...

Appliance Man

Appliance Man: a trusted name in Utah’s home appliance industry

Despite many recent closures of local appliance stores, Appliance Man remains Utah's trusted home appliance business and is here to stay.

abstract vector digital social network technology background...

Les Olson

Protecting yourself against social engineering attacks

Learn more about the common types of social engineering to protect your online or offline assets from an attack.

Pandemic Forces Utah Nonprofit To Find New Home