Dixie Care and Share (DCS) was founded in 1980 by Harvey and Ruth McGee and began as a small, community-oriented service to help families who could not afford sufficient meals. Mirroring the rapid population increase of Southwest Utah in the years since, the organization has grown exponentially. In 2010, they provided nearly 9,000 food boxes and that number is expected to rise in the future.
A fairly new addition to DCS is the Community Soup Kitchen, which is operated by Grace Episcopal Church in St. George. Jim Roberts, who was appointed director along with his wife Sue Ann on March 1, said that although running the kitchen is challenging, it is rewarding work.
Aside from the soup kitchen, the organization offers many services to the community. Their homeless shelter, the only one of its kind in the county, provides meals for guests, free daily showers for the homeless, job training and adult educational programs.
Despite the community’s support, which Roberts said he is extremely grateful for, DCS continues to struggle to meet the ever-growing demand for the charity’s services. Donations from business organizations and individuals are a crucial need, as well as in-person assistance. Volunteers are needed for many programs throughout the year.
STGNews
