By:Tina Bryson

CORBIN, Ky. — The Latter-Day Saints Charities have partnered with Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) to help people in need in Eastern Kentucky. The Latter-Day Saints donated 27 pallets totaling 42,000 pounds of food.

“This is a tremendous blessing to CAP at the start of the new year,” said Sherri Barnett, manager of CAP’s Grateful Bread Food Pantry. “We are so thankful and grateful to the Latter-Day Saints Charities for this huge donation of non-perishable food that will be distributed in CAP’s service area to children, their families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities.”

“Latter-day Saint Charities is the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS),” said Laura Davis, director of public affairs for the LDS. “Our purpose is to relieve suffering, foster self-reliance and provide opportunities for service. Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Latter-day Saint Charities follows the admonition of Jesus Christ to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked and visit the sick and afflicted.”

Winter months can present additional challenges to communities that daily struggle with food insecurity and poverty. “During the winter months so many families are unable to afford basic groceries,” Barnett explained. “They must often choose between purchasing food and paying electric bills or health care for their families. This donation of nutritious food will relieve families of some of the stress of having to worry about where the next meal is coming from.”

There are Latter-Day Saints congregations in the surrounding areas including Berea, Mt. Vernon, Corbin, Winchester, Paris, Lexington, and Beattyville. Local church leadership knew that CAP provided services and resources to several Kentucky counties, and they wanted to partner with an organization that would make the greatest local impact on communities in need.

“I feel blessed to have been a part of this awesome donation and experience,” Davis added. Several members of the local LDS congregations volunteered to assist with the unloading of the tractor trailers that delivered the food to CAP’s Operation Sharing warehouse in Corbin for distribution. “I'm grateful to be a part of a worldwide church that blesses so many throughout the world, including my Kentucky neighbors.” Members also serve as community volunteers and give of their time to help at CAP’s food pantry.

A portion of the donation will be used to support the work of the Beattyville Hope Station. The local Latter-Day Saint church in Beattyville partners with that shelter throughout the year to donate money, resources, and time.
“It is our pleasure to support the Christian Appalachian Project, said Kent Wilson, bishop of the Berea and Mt. Vernon congregations. “CAP is doing wonderful work in Appalachia. Through our partnership we are glad to be doing a small part to help our neighbors.”