Iron County Care and Share

For nearly 30 years, Iron County Care and Share (ICCS) has worked to provide hunger relief, emergency shelter, transitional housing and supportive services to help homeless and low-income families living in southern Utah increase their stability, self-sufficiency and independence.  

Programs & Services:

Hunger Relief: ICCS’s food pantry provides emergency hunger relief for homeless, low-income and very low-income families in the form of monthly food boxes as well as weekly access to perishables made available through our grocery rescue program.  Individuals and families who are experiencing a hunger crisis and are in need of emergency food assistance may make an appointment or stop by during our hours of operation to pick up an emergency food box.  ICCS is also able to offer weekly access to perishable fruits, vegetables and bakery items through its Grocery Rescue Program.  The Grocery Rescue program is a partnership been the ICCS food pantry and local area grocery stores, who donate surplus perishable items on a daily basis.    

Low-income households in need of ongoing food assistance are asked to make an appointment with our case manager prior to receiving their second monthly food box.  At that appointment the case manager will assess the household’s income and expenses and assist them in applying for any income support programs that they qualify for (such as food stamps).  In order to qualify for regular, on-going food box assistance, a household’s income must not exceed 150% of the federal poverty level.  Approximately 600 households seek out our hunger relief services each month.

Emergency Shelter: Open 7 days per week, ICCS’s emergency shelter provides safe beds, hot meals and supportive services for homeless men, women and families.  The primary goals of our program are to assist those in crisis by meeting their most basic needs for food and shelter, and then work together to develop a strategy and plan that will help them begin to stabilize and exit homelessness.

Our shelter provides 20 beds for men and 10 beds for women - housed in separate wings - as well as 2 family units for married couples with children.  For families in crisis, the opportunity to stay together while in shelter promotes safety and stability, and is a unique resource in our community.  Clients meet with our Case Manager who assesses why the client is experiencing an episode of homelessness and then connects them to supportive services available at our agency or with our partners. Our aim is to limit the amount of time an individual spends homeless and help them regain their self-sufficiency and independence.  Each year, more than 300 individuals in our community access our services.

Transitional Housing: La Casa, ICCS’s transitional housing program, offers seven single-room units for individual men and women, typically former residents at our emergency shelter who are working towards permanent independent living.  Residents may remain at La Casa for up to two years, though many successfully exit within six months.  While enrolled at La Casa, residents must meet with our case manager on a weekly basis, maintain sobriety, and be actively employed or making ongoing progress towards achieving their self-identified goals.  Each year, approximately 15 formerly homeless men and women successfully enroll at La Casa after leaving our emergency shelter and an average of 75% will exit La Casa to permanent independent housing.

Essential Services: Through grants and support from our local Salvation Army, ICCS is able to provide one-time direct financial assistance for very low-income individuals and families.  Financial assistance is typically provided for activities including medical treatment, prescription assistance, transportation, minor auto repair, substance abuse treatment evaluations, assistance in obtaining needed forms of ID, equipment necessary for employment and lodging.

Homelessness Prevention for Families: Households with children under the age of 18 and who are at imminent risk of losing their housing may apply for short-term rental or utility assistance at ICCS.  To qualify, the parents or guardians must be working, actively looking for work or pursuing education or training, the crisis must be short term and the household must demonstrate the potential to achieve self-sufficiency.  Financial assistance is limited to four months.

For information on how to get involved, please visit our food pantry, located at 222 W 900 N, Cedar City, UT. We serve clients in the immediate 84720, 84721 zip codes as well as in areas throughout Iron County.