Feeding America, a national hunger relief organization, can literally say “thanks a million” to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints—sometimes inadvertently called the Mormon Church—for a recent food donation. Members of The Church of Jesus Christ collected and donated more than a million pounds of food to the organization. [1]
“The commitment from our supporting partners helps make Feeding America’s work possible and provides hungry Americans with food, hope and dignity every day,” said Bob Aiken, president and CEO of Feeding America. “Thanks to the generosity of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this most recent donation will provide the equivalent of 625,000 much-needed meals.” [1]
The Church’s donation of canned goods includes fruit, vegetables and legumes that will be distributed to families in need at community pantries, soup kitchens and shelters across the nation. The nonprofit organization, based in Chicago, supports more than 200 food banks. “Feeding America will distribute the food based on three factors: the number of clients served by a network food bank, the level of poverty of its clients and the food bank’s need for a particular food product on the list of donated items.” [1]
The Utah Food Bank is a member of the Feeding America network and will receive 250,000 pounds of the donation. [1]
“This donation from the LDS Church could not have come at a better time for [us],” said Karen Sendelback, CEO of the Utah Food Bank. “The food will help fill a large need over the summer for our fellow Utahans who struggle to put food on the table each day. We are so very grateful.” [1]
Following the Savior by Caring for the Poor and the Needy
Members of The Church of Jesus Christ believe in following the teachings of the Savior by loving their neighbors and giving to the poor and needy, no matter their race, nationality or religion. In the Doctrine and Covenants, a book of modern revelations in The Church of Jesus Christ, it reads: “If thou lovest me … thou wilt remember the poor, and consecrate of thy properties for their support that which thou hast to impart unto them” (Doctrine and Covenants 42:29-30).
President Gordon B. Hinckley, past president of The Church of Jesus Christ, said:
I am grateful for the humanitarian aid we have been able to extend to the poor and the unfortunate. … In a world where there is so much of hunger and suffering, where death walks hand in hand with little children, we must continue and enlarge our efforts, not permitting politics or other factors to hold back the hand of mercy. [2]
Millions of members of The Church of Jesus Christ donate time and goods to humanitarian relief throughout the world. In the past few years, the Church has increased its national donations, which are coordinated through the Church’s welfare system. The Church’s welfare system includes canneries, farms and factories throughout the United States that provide food and other goods for those in need. [1]
President Thomas S. Monson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ, said:
I am deeply grateful that as a church we continue to extend humanitarian aid where there is great need. We have done much in this regard and have blessed the lives of thousands upon thousands of our Father’s children who are not of our faith as well as those who are. We intend to continue to help wherever such is needed. We express gratitude to you for your contributions in this regard. [3]
Read more about LDS giving at LDS Philanthropies.org.