Each loaded with approximately 40,000 pounds of food supplies donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, five semitrucks officially rolled out Thursday on a journey from Salt Lake City to food banks in Oregon, Michigan, Arkansas, Texas and Missouri.
These were the first five of 250 semitruck loads to deliver food donations to 250 food banks across the United States as part of the church’s participation in America250’s America Gives initiative — which will run through 2026 in celebration of the United States’ 250th anniversary.
“As we mark this historic milestone, we hope to foster a spirit of unity, peacemaking and goodwill,” said Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in a meeting he had Thursday with Rosie Rios, chair of America250 and former U.S. Treasurer. “The anniversary is an opportunity for all to come together, serve together, and express gratitude for the freedoms that have allowed all faiths — including ours — to flourish.”
The first five semitrucks will arrive at their corresponding locations on Nov. 18-19 (see more details below). But these and following food donations are not the only way the church is participating in the giving initiative organized by America250, a nonpartisan congressional commission organizing celebrations to commemorate the United States’ semiquincentennial…