ST. GEORGE — Volunteers from around Southern Utah came together at Grace Episcopal Church Friday to make Christmas a bit brighter for those residents who are less fortunate at this time of year.
“We’re having, for the first time, Christmas dinner at the Community Soup Kitchen,” director Jim Roberts said.
Almost 100 volunteers from numerous other organizations, including the Dixie Elks Lodge 1743, Family Dollar stores, Grace Episcopal Church members and several wards of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, provided food, toys for kids and entertainment for the people being served.
“I feel amazing and blessed,” participant Robert Johnson said after eating and enjoying the afternoon.
“They did such a good job, they were so thankful and nice to us.”
Johnson was thankful for the respite of dealing with day-to-day survival.
“They have good people who care about us,” Johnson said. “People like us that are struggling through these times.”
Some children came in without jackets, socks or warm clothes, co-chairperson Dawn McClain of the Utah Nonprofit Association said, and the volunteers were able to outfit those children with all of those items as well as blankets and cuddly toys.
The volunteers gathered at the church on 900 South Street to serve more than 400 people who showed up for the meal and entertainment. Christmas presents were given to children in attendance, a hygiene kit was available to those who desired one, and Roberts said, and a full meal including dessert was provided by the Elks Lodge.
“This is our Christmas gift from those that come and eat,” Roberts said. “We’re the ones who benefit from this.”
St. George News Videographer Sheldon Demke contributed to this story.
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