Nonprofit outdoor company moves to Midvale

Gear to Grow is a non-profit organization that gives donated used sporting equipment to those in need of it. Recently, the organization moved to Midvale, 660 West 7250 South.

Originally the warehouse was in Sandy, but owners relocated to Midvale because of the easy access to freeways.

In September of 2009, Corey Kirkwood and J.T. VonLunen launched a pilot program to facilitate outdoor retailers and manufacturers who wanted to donate equipment to the public. By December of that same year, the company had found five outdoor recreation companies willing to work with them.

According to the Gear to Grow website, “Simply put, we broker gear between the donors and the organizations getting people involved in the outdoors.”

Back Country was the first company to make a major contribution. “They gave us 1,500 wool hats from returns and overstock and in one week we had them all distributed,” said VonLunen, adding that Gear to Grow sells 20 percent of their product and donates the remaining 80 percent.

VonLunen recalls one donation - a large amount of street shoes - which was in turn donated to the Walk in Beauty Navajo reservation on the Arizona/Utah border. Over three months, they’d given out 300 shoes to those on the reservation.

The community can purchase items in the store, make monetary donations online or donate their own gently used gear. Right now, Gear to Grow is especially looking for excess tent poles.

Gear to Grow works with more than 20 nonprofit groups and charities, including the National Ability Center, Canoe for the Cure, Appalachian Trail Conservancy and Adventures Without Limits. The companies and individuals who donate to Gear to Grow can use that donation as a tax deduction.

“We don’t want to compete with the other companies but by shopping with us you can help fund our operations,” said VonLunen. “It’s cool to be a part of a growing community such as Midvale.”