Helping the needy is a priority during the holidays and throughout the year for Grace Episcopal Church, St. George, Utah, December 22, 2022 | Photo by Stephanie DeGraw, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – This week, Grace Episcopal Church, located at 1072 E. 900 South in St. George, held its food box distribution on Wednesday.

Helping the needy is a priority during the holidays and throughout the year. The church has been organizing the distribution of food boxes since 2000.

“I feel like we are responding to the needs of the community,” said church volunteer Marcia Burchstead. “And it’s gratifying to see people being able to get all this food.”

During the pandemic, the church found that many people were not as prepared as they might have been before the pandemic.

Peggy Ann DeLong, another volunteer, said many people are in a much worse situation than before.

“And if they are out of work, or if they had no work at all or an unstable job, then this food collection is useful for food instability, that’s for sure,” she said. declared.

The duration of the pandemic also complicates matters.

“There’s no way you can prepare for something like this, and it sure isn’t something you envisioned, much less you’re ready for. I think the duration is really devastating for people who have tried to stay healthy or who have been compromised, ”DeLong said.

Both volunteers said there are many places in St. George where people can go for help, and Grace Episcopal Church is trying to fill in the gaps and work with all organizations.

“As members of Grace Episcopal Faith, we find no greater calling than to be of service to others. So I think that’s exactly why we’re all here to help those in need, ”DeLong said.

The church usually distributes food and other useful items on the second and last Saturday of each month. This year, as Christmas falls on the last Saturday, they organized the drive earlier. Volunteers distribute boxes of food, toiletries, warm clothes, pet food, turkeys and hams.

According to them website, Grace Episcopal Church is a reconciling, assertive and inclusive Christian community that strives to welcome everyone through worship, love and service.

“Wherever you are on your journey of faith, Grace Episcopal Church welcomes you. We believe that God rejoices in the diversity of creation, ”the website states.

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