The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated approximately 36,000 pounds of food in August to MasterKey Ministries in Sherman, Texas, to help provide meals for individuals.
The donation includes shelf-stable food, canned goods, rice, beans, pasta, peanut butter, cereal and milk that will support food banks in the Sherman, Bonham and Durant areas.
According to MasterKey Ministries, there are more than 21,000 people in Grayson County that live below the poverty line.
“This translates into living with stress and instability every week because they just don’t have enough,” MasterKey Ministries said, in a news release. “Additionally, there are more than 44,000 individuals that are living immediately above the poverty line that are still having trouble making ends meet.
“MasterKey Ministries, through our food program, provides 40 percent of the food assistance to Grayson County. Last year, we gave out 1.7 million pounds of food to help those that are food insecure. We serve more than 1,000 families every week at our two pantry distributions.”
Ryan Packard, 2nd Counselor, Sherman Stake Presidency, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, said the church regularly partners with local organizations to strengthen communities and care for those in need.
“First off, America 250,” Packard said. “What a fantastic initiative to help us all be grateful and remember what we have been given as Americans. I love that as part of this celebration, there is a focus on giving. I am inspired by all these churches and other organizations, made up of imperfect people, who are trying to go about doing good as Jesus Christ did.”