- The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated 20,000 pounds of food.
- The donation to Switchpoint Pantry is part of America 250, celebrating 250 years of independence.
- St. George Mayor Jimmie Hughes praised the donation as a uniquely American charitable act.
ST. GEORGE — The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints delivered 20,000 pounds of food to Switchpoint Pantry in St. George on Thursday — one of many donations the church is making as part of America 250, celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
"I think what we're doing with this donation is uniquely and deeply American," said St. George Mayor Jimmie Hughes. "As we're celebrating America 250, those principles of helping your neighbor ... were part of the political and religious speeches (of the time). I think that is deeply American that we step up and help one another as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has done with this unique donation."
The Switchpoint Pantry serves thousands of individuals and families experiencing homelessness in the community each month. Switchpoint board President David Dangerfield said this donation is an important step toward helping those in need.
"I was thinking about the concept of celebrations," Dangerfield said. "What's central in those celebrations is food. ... When I think about the 9,000 unique individuals who come to this pantry every month ... who are hungry and have food instability, their celebration is not of food because they're worried from day to day about where the next meal is going to come.
"We are deeply appreciative to the church."
Alex Cabrero, KSLKacey Jones, a representative of the Church of Jesus Christ, acknowledged the presence of the St. George Interfaith Council and thanked the community for its commitment to service.
"We are grateful that we get to join hands with other members of the faith community, to be able to enact personal ministry here at Switchpoint," Jones said. "We're also deeply grateful to Switchpoint for allowing service missionaries ... many of whom serve at the food pantry on a daily basis.
"Today we are grateful to Switchpoint, who will help us distribute 20,000 pounds of food; the equivalent of 15,000 meals," she continued. "These goods are produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and made possible by donations by the members.
"These resources unite to feed the hungry, lift the broken-hearted and to provide Christlike service."
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Arianne Brown
