Hunger is a growing problem in our community. Solving it will take all of us working together.
That’s the spirit behind a partnership among Catholic Charities, Freestore Foodbank and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS).
This spring, as part of a longtime relationship, the LDS sent 795 cases of non-perishable food to Catholic Charities’ Food For All program. The generous donation filled half a semitruck!
Food For All Coordinator April Hoak reached out to Freestore Foodbank about using some of their warehouse space. They graciously agreed to help by storing the food and shipping items needed for each Food for All pantry.
The donation and Freestore Foodbank’s exceptional collaboration come at a critical time for our community. Housing and grocery costs remain high, and so does demand at pantry distributions. Food for All is still serving more people than before the pandemic. Lately, more families, including large extended families living together, are coming for the first time.
“It’s great that other agencies can come together to tackle hunger,” April says. “People from all different backgrounds understand that everybody should have food.”
The LDS donation helps ensure people in need can access not just food, but high-quality, nutritious products. It also improves choice for Food For All recipients.
The gift is not the only way the LDS church supports Food For All. Several local members also volunteer at the pantry distributions, which take place in Adams, Brown, Clermont, Clinton, Hamilton, and Highland counties.
The interdenominational teamwork shows that “we can work closely together around an issue that’s important for all of us,” April says.
When it comes to ending hunger and food insecurity in our community, everyone has a role to play.