The girl in the movie is named India Opal Buloni (played by actress AnnaSophia Robb). When India moves to the small town of Naomi, Florida with her preacher father (played by actor Jeff Daniels), she struggles to make new friends and adjust to her new surroundings.
One day, while grocery shopping at a Winn-Dixie supermarket, India encounters a scruffy-looking dog who is causing chaos in the store. She decides to take the dog home with her and names him after the store where she found him. Despite her father's initial reluctance to let her keep the dog, Winn-Dixie quickly becomes a beloved member of the family.
As India and Winn-Dixie explore the town together, they meet a variety of eccentric and colorful characters, including a librarian (played by actress Eva Marie Saint) who tells India stories and helps her improve her reading skills, a homeless man (played by actor Dave Matthews) who plays music and shares his wisdom, and a shy pet store clerk (played by actress Cicely Tyson) who helps India care for Winn-Dixie.
Through these new connections, India begins to open up and find her place in the tight-knit community. She also learns more about her own family history, including why her mother left her when she was just a toddler.
Ultimately, Because of Winn-Dixie is a heartwarming tale about the power of friendship, forgiveness, and the unconditional love of a dog.