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Home > Archive > Aug 2, 2007

'Can'-Do Attitude at Tuacahn
By Cami Cox
Staff Writer
Folks at the Tuacahn Center for the Arts collected more than 3,300 pounds of canned food for the Dixie Care and Share, July 12 and 18. Those attending showings of “My Fair Lady” and “Cinderella” were asked to donate one bag of canned food each and, in exchange, received a 50 percent discount on their show tickets. A similar canned food drive will take place Sept. 27 in conjunction with a showing of “42nd Street” at Tuacahn.
“We like to offer several different types of discounts, and we thought this would be a great way to give our customers a discount and help the food bank at the same time,” Tuacahn Associate Producer Jeff Martin said. “During the summer, people don't really think of donating to the food bank, I don't think.”
Tuacahn has been doing such canned food drives to benefit the Care and Share since 2005, Martin said. Tuacahn supports other local nonprofit and charity groups throughout the year, as well.
“We often receive requests for tickets for fundraisers for nonprofit events and that kind of thing, and we often honor those requests,” he said. “We donate probably about $8,000 worth of tickets every year.”
Grateful to receive Tuacahn's donation, some at the Care and Share were emotional at seeing such a large quantity of canned items. Darcy Barr, food bank manager at the Care and Share, said the Care and Share was close to running out of food in its food bank for the month of July, so the donation from Tuacahn was a welcome sight.
“It was great,” Barr said. “It really helps. It put us over the top for the month.”
Barr said the Dixie Care and Share is always in need of donations, both of food and other items. Baby items, such as diapers and wipes, are especially needed right now, particularly diapers size four and larger; dressers and child-size beds are also needed, she said.
Barr said the Dixie Care and Share and the people served there are very grateful to Tuacahn and those who contributed canned goods to the food drive. They're looking forward to the upcoming Tuacahn drive in September.
“All the stuff from Tuacahn definitely helps,” Barr said. “I wish more people would have food drives. We do need donations.”
The Dixie Care and Share food bank is open weekdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Anyone interested in volunteering or wishing to donate food or other items should contact Barr at 628-3661. The Dixie Care and Share is located at 131 N. 300 West in St. George, and information about the Care and Share can be accessed on the Web at www.dixiecareandshare.org.
Tuacahn's production of “Cinderella” will run through Oct. 17, and “My Fair Lady” will play until Oct. 18. “42nd Street” opens Aug. 30 and will show through Oct. 20. For ticket information, call 652-3300 or visit www.tuacahn.org.

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