By Marci McPhee, JustServe Specialist, San Antonio East Stake
Folks who have visited or volunteered at the Bishop’s Storehouse recognize the Church’s distinctive brand “Deseret” with the honeybee symbol. But they might be surprised to see Deseret brand items distributed by Catholic Charities, alongside other basic commodities.
Thanks to a grant from the Church’s Bishop’s Storehouse, Deseret brand macaroni and cheese, turkey chunks, rice and peanut butter were distributed at the Mobile Food Pantry, January 11, 2020, alongside donations from local grocery stores, the San Antonio Food Bank and Catholic Charities. Those in need were able to fill their bags with basic food for their families.
Catholic Charities’ Mobile Food Pantry called “Hope Mobile” visits the Buena Vista building of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 655 Castroville Road on the second Saturday of each month. With the grant from the Storehouse, the Church has expanded it’s role beyond assisting with distribution. Volunteers from both churches assisted patrons in filling out forms and carrying their food.
In addition, one of the volunteers from Catholic Charities brought a jar filled with scriptures, labeled “Soul Food.” Patrons were encouraged to reach in and choose a scripture, to lift their spirit as well as feed their soul with the healthy food they were bringing home. “Sometimes folks ask me how I do it – fill the jar with a variety of scriptures so they can choose exactly the right scripture for them. But it’s not me – it’s God, working through me.”
