◆ Program supplies food in Star Valley and Bear Lake.
When the three Star Valley Food Banks began receiving increases in patrons due to the economic challenges associated with the pandemic, local representatives from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints asked how they could assist.
Regional Church Communications Director Evan Simpson inquired of the Welfare Department of the Church and learned that the Church is sending truck loads of canned goods throughout the United States of America every day.
In cooperation with local church leaders an application was sent to Church Headquarters asking that Star Valley and Bear Lake Valley Food Banks be considered for a shipment.
That request was approved and on Tuesday, June 9th a semi load of canned goods arrived in Star Valley.
Arrangements had been made for the food to be unloaded and stored at the Afton Readiness Center; a National Guard facility located next to Star Valley High School. All food banks in Star Valley and Bear Lake Valley will have access to these commodities.
The entire process started around the family dining table in homes of church members, including those living in the Star Valley area. Once a month, members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints all over the world are asked to fast for two meals and donate the amount they would have spent on the two meals as their “Fast Offering.”
Fast Offerings are then used to support the church-owned farms, ranches, and factories that grow and process 90 percent of the food that was on the truck with the aid of member volunteers.
Special thanks go out to President Scott Milne for processing the application; Call Ready Mix and Sunrise Engineering for providing equipment and manpower to unload the truck; the volunteers who work so hard to manage the food banks; and the Wyoming National Guard who has and will continue to facilitate storage and access to the canned goods for our foodbanks.
President Scott Milne commented; “My calling as the Afton Wyoming Stake President carries the responsibility not just for the members of the Church, but for all who are in need who live within the geographic boundaries of our region. This donation is a way for our members to reach out to our neighbors as true brothers and sisters.”
