ST GEORGE — Volunteers are needed at Switchpoint Community Resource Center as many of its regular participants are leaving for the summer months.
The areas of greatest need include working in the food pantry, cashiering at the thrift store and helping in the kitchen to provide meals for up to 80 residents of the shelter.
Switchpoint offers emergency shelter in addition to resources and programs to help move people out of poverty. Switchpoint impacts close to one out of every two citizens of Washington County.
In 2017, the facility served 1,200 individuals experiencing homelessness, 414 of which were children. The emergency food pantry assisted nearly 4,400 people in need. Operated mostly by volunteer forces, more than 71,000 hours were donated.
“I know it’s a very trite phrase, but it really does take a village to make sure everyone in the village is safe and healthy and happy and progressing, ” said David Dangerfield, chairman of the board of directors for Switchpoint.
Switchpoint volunteer coordinator Julie Duckett echoed those sentiments. “I am amazed at the generosity of our community and feel confident we will get the help as people realize what our needs are.”
Switchpoint Community Resource Center has been in existence since 2014 and provides temporary shelter and support for the homeless community in Washington County. Largely run by volunteers, additional services include job-training programs through the thrift store, food pantry and Bed ‘n’ Biscuits dog daycare facility.
One of the innovative aspects of the facility is an area designated where more than 20 nonprofit partners and local government agencies come to offer services to those who visit the center.
Beyond food and shelter, Switchpoint is a steppingstone to independence for homeless individuals, making poverty a temporary situation.
For more information about Switchpoint and to learn ways you can help, visit its website or call Julie Duckett at 435-628-9310 ext. 3.
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Twitter: @STGnews
So which Starbucks location is this at?