CEDAR CITY — As the holiday season progresses, the Iron County Care and Share’s new leadership said the nonprofit is in dire need of support to continue serving the community.

Collin Wallace has been working as the nonprofit’s new director for about a month and Sierra Waters began her stint as its operations manager a few weeks ago. They are in the process of hiring a new finance coordinator.

Wallace, a Cedar City native and part of the first graduating ROTC class at Southern Utah University, said he was deployed multiple times with the National Guard and ultimately chose to enlist with the United States Army.

After retiring in September and returning to Southern Utah, Wallace said he sought a job where he could give back to the community and applied to the Iron County Care and Share.

With the former director, finance coordinator and operations manager leaving around the same time Wallace began, he said the transition has been “difficult,” especially as he learns “all of the little intricacies” required to run the nonprofit.

“We’re just hoping we don’t drop the ball on anything,” he said.

Waters said her vision is to collaborate with other organizations, community members, staff and clients to identify and reduce gaps in understanding, efforts and services.

“The work we do at Iron County Care and Share is often met with bias, retribution and frustration from our community about how we aren’t doing enough,” she said. “What this means to me is that the current level of support and resources available to our community are severely limited when you consider the population growth we are seeing. … Ultimately, we need the community’s support now more than ever.”

Among major changes to the organization’s leadership, Wallace said it also has fallen short of its funding goals and his primary aim is to “keep the doors open.”

While they are working on ways to cut costs, Wallace estimated that the nonprofit could have five months of funding left to cover operating costs and may need to greatly reduce hours or close down either the pantry or the emergency shelter.

“But if we’re careful and we make the right moves and we get help from the community, then hopefully we can make it through the next grant cycle and be OK,” he said.

Last year, the Care and Share received over $230,000. Comparatively, this year they’ve accepted approximately $144,000, Wallace said.

It was originally slated for $70,000 from the Emergency Food Assistance Program, but due to a growing number of people in need, they were approved to receive a total of about $180,000, Wallace said, adding that the increase in funding will be helpful.

Additionally, he said they served about 750 households in the previous year. And they have served over 600 households since July. While the funding year is January to December, households served are counted from July to the following June.

Cash donations will help the nonprofit to fund various repairs, such as fixing a broken fridge in the pantry, replacing a section of the kitchen floor that is caving in and repairing a hole in the men’s bathroom, Wallace said.

In an effort to raise awareness of what the nonprofit and community need, Wallace said they hired a social media manager, which he hopes will increase both large and small donations. Once the manager begins work, users will be able to find updates on the Iron County Care and Share and its current needs on its Facebook page.

Many local organizations, including the Elks Lodge, Cedar City Rotary Club, Knights of Columbus and local churches, have supported the nonprofit. The Care and Share also receive funding from individuals, like one child donates a small amount each month. Additionally, the pantry receives grocery donations from Utah Food Bank, local grocery stores and Iron County residents, Wallace said.

While the nonprofit has received funds from various sources, it is still in need of increased support, he said.

Iron County Care and Share

The pantry hours recently were changed to provide longer hours for those who have a hard time visiting during working hours and because staff hours were reduced to 32 hours per week to save money while there are shortages in the budget, Wallace said. But services are still available.

To receive a food box, individuals can go to the pantry building, use the computer in the front office to declare their needs and sign paperwork with the receptionist. Then they can schedule an appointment to pick up a box at the side door.

The pantry offers weekly or monthly boxes depending on what a person requires, Wallace said.

The Care and Share also employs case managers who link households who need assistance to resources available in the community, Wallace said.

The emergency shelter is located next door to the pantry. While some might perceive homeless people as “lazy,” Wallace said that working at the shelter was a “big eye opener” and that many of the clients there are older and needed assistance because they couldn’t find affordable housing in Cedar City.

Additionally, they received approximately $6 million in funding, shared with Canyon Creek Services, which will be used to purchase an affordable housing complex, Wallace said.

The profits from this venture will be used to cover the nonprofit’s operating costs. It is expected to become available in March or April, he said.

Those interested in supporting the shelter may donate via its website or call the shelter at 435-586-5142. To reach the finance department, follow the recorded instructions.

Individuals may also call 435-586-4962 to coordinate a time to drop off food donations.

And those interested in volunteering with the food pantry are encouraged to fill out an online application.

The Iron County Care and Share also is searching for members of the community to fill seats on its board. Those interested can contact Wallace via email.

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