by Leisa Parsons, Area Media Specialist
Over 35,000 pounds of canned goods, flour, pasta and other non-perishable food items arrived at the San Antonio Food Bank just after midday. The delivery is part of an ongoing global effort from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to address the immediate needs caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Food Bank has seen unprecedented numbers of people seeking help during the COVID pandemic. They have been handing out food on-site Monday through Saturday, with larger, mass distributions happening every Tuesday and Friday at various locations around the city. Phillip Kent, Communications and Marketing Director, for the Food Bank said, “We’ve essentially doubled what we usually do and so our need has doubled too. That’s why we’re grateful for donations like this one from your Church.”
The Food Bank usually feeds between 58,000 to 60,000 individuals a week, that has increased to 120,000 individuals. Those needing assistance pre-register on the Food Bank’s website. The need to register is explained by a statement that Food Bank CEO, Eric Cooper is known for, “Food for today, food for tomorrow, food for a lifetime.”
Kent explained the saying. Food for today is to take care of people’s immediate needs. He said, “Every distribution of food we get them to pre-register, that way we can address the ‘food for tomorrow’ by helping get those who need it enrolled in programs like SNAP and WIC.” “Food for a lifetime” is hopefully addressed through the Food Bank’s job assistance programs like their Culinary training program and by working with the Texas Workforce Commission and other partners.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has approved more than 110 COVID-19 relief projects in 57 countries so far, partnering with humanitarian agencies, health ministries, hospitals and food banks.
