Farm families at the annual American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Salt Lake City this past January packed food donated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for families in need. At the three-day conference, 4,500 volunteer farm leaders, including American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and his wife, Jennifer, packed 140,000 pounds of food.
That’s enough food to fill four semitrucks.
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“Farmers dedicate their lives to feeding people,” Duvall said. “We know that food insecurity is a serious issue, and we’re committed to doing our part to address it. It was my honor to help pack boxes during our convention, knowing that the food was going to be delivered to good people in need of our help.”
Two trucks loaded with 63,000 pounds of food (more than 3,000 boxes), were delivered to Iowa. Each food box can feed a family of four for four days.
Iowa Food Bank CEO Michelle Book was impressed with the donation.
“It’s beautiful, nutritious food,” Book said. “These are things that I would buy at the grocery store to feed my family. I am looking at the peanut butter and the jelly. A five-year-old can make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Or a 95-year-old can make their own peanut butter and jelly sandwich.”
A third truck arrived in Fayette County, Kentucky, this week. The truck was met by 70 volunteers representing nonprofit agencies, Kentucky and Utah Farm Bureaus, government leaders and media. Forty-two nonprofit agencies and 28 schools received boxes at the distribution event.
Among those present was Elder Vern P. Stanfill, the Church’s North America Southeast Area President.
“We love our neighbors,” Elder Stanfill said. “That is what Jesus Christ has invited us to do. When our neighbors need our help, the Church is grateful to be in a position to serve alongside these great organizations who are on the frontlines relieving suffering.”
The final truck is assisting veterans facing food insecurity in Utah.
Troy Rindlisbacher, a rancher with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been following the food as it made its way from farms to those in need.
“If you look at the boxes you will see a variety of food that was grown on Church farms around the country,” Rindlisbacher said. “That food is processed and distributed by the Church and given to our friends who are helping people in need around the globe. It is a blessing for me to see what happens as this food goes from seed to stomach and how people’s lives are blessed all along the way.”
Miracle of Ag Foundation Director Clayton Beckstead said that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated everything needed, including, food boxes, semitrucks, drivers and conveyor belts. Beckstead said, “without the Church’s donations, this project wouldn’t have been possible.”