Each year the County Commissioners meet with representatives from the local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (“LDS”). Last year, LDS leaders asked Commissioners what they were seeing and the needs in the community. The Commissioners talked about the monthly meetings of area food pantries and their report that the shelves were bare. Within weeks, two semi-trucks drove through a spring blizzard from Utah to deliver food to Colorado.
For a second year in a row, LDS had two semi-trucks deliver food from their Welfare Center in Utah to Colorado food pantries. Working through the Church’s humanitarian organization, Latter-day Saint Charities, 48 pallets (80-100,000 pounds) of non-perishable food was donated. The Action Center, located in Lakewood, and Benefits in Action, donated warehouse space. On Friday, March 17, 50 volunteers representing community partners, church members and missionary volunteers came together to sort food. Eighteen pantries in the Lakewood and Columbine area received food. Additionally, Community Table in Arvada received ten pallets for pantries in north Jefferson County.
“Food insecurity and hunger are realities everywhere. So many people are struggling and seeing firsthand our community come together to help those in need is amazing,” said Commissioner Kraft-Tharp, who was able to visit the work being done on Monday, March 20.
To learn more about Jefferson County food banks and food assistance programs, visit our website at https://www.jeffco.us/BusinessDirectoryII.aspx?lngBusinessCategoryID=59.