Our Story

Desert Spring Community Resource Center (DSCRC) grew out of a community effort led by volunteers from Desert Spring United Methodist Church (DSUMC) in response to COVID-19 in 2020. What began as a Saturday drive-through grocery pickup quickly revealed a deeper need for connection, support, and practical help. By 2022, DSCRC had become an independent nonprofit (501(c)3) on the DSUMC campus, continuing to serve neighbors through food access and social services referrals.

Today, the need in our community is greater than ever. In response, DSUMC generously made more space available on its campus, tripling the size of the food pantry and creating a private area where staff can meet one-on-one with individuals and families seeking additional support.

The pantry was renamed Good Choice Pantry to reflect its client-choice model, which gives individuals and families the dignity of selecting the food items that best meet their needs and preferences. In addition to groceries, the pantry also offers essential non-food items, including diapers, hygiene products, household supplies, and other basics when available.

Good Choice Pantry is proud to partner with Three Square Food Bank and participate in the Feeding America Grocery Rescue Program, helping expand access to nutritious food for our neighbors. The pantry is also Good Choice because we encourage healthy food choices. DSCRC  uses Supporting Wellness at Pantries (SWAP), a nationally recognized stoplight nutrition system that promotes healthier choices by evaluating foods based on saturated fat, sodium, and added sugars. In alignment with the existing Healthy Eating Research Nutrition Guidelines for the Charitable Food System, foods are labeled green (choose often), yellow (choose sometimes), or red (choose rarely).

DSCRC partners with the Open Table Network to strengthen its impact through social services referrals. Using Open Table’s community-based model, trained volunteer groups walk alongside vulnerable individuals with consistent, relationship-centered support. Rather than relying on a transactional approach, this model helps build social capital and supports long-term self-sufficiency.

Although DSCRC grew out of the church community, it is not a faith-based organization. Its work is supported through grants, community donations, and fee-for-service contracts.