Church Donates 35,000 Pounds of Food to Rexburg Family Crisis Center

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Bishop’s Storehouse donated 35,000 pounds of food to Rexburg’s Family Crisis Center early Tuesday morning. The donation was facilitated by the Madison County Public Works Department, which provided a forklift and personnel to assist with unloading the food. This collaboration ensured the efficient distribution of the donated goods to the center’s food storage rooms.

Volunteers, Madison County Public Works staff, and Church Service Missionaries worked together to unload the food. The process involved moving box after box of canned goods down a conveyor belt into the center’s storage areas. The donation marked the first food contribution the center received this year, though it has received similar donations in previous years.

The food was sourced through “Church Fast Offerings,” a practice where members of the Church skip two meals on “Fast Sunday” and donate the money to help the poor. The generosity of members has resulted in a significant surplus of food, with one person noting there was “no room to put anything right now.” This highlights the impact of communal giving and the importance of sharing resources with those in need.

Church Service Missionary Adam Burton assisted with the unloading process. He has been on his mission since December and is available to help when needed. Burton expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to contribute, stating, “I’m only here when they need extra help. I’m normally at other opportunities, but I enjoy being here when I get the opportunity.”

Madison County Public Works Department official Jeremy Johnson emphasized the value of community support. He noted the team arrived early Tuesday morning and worked until 7:45 a.m. to complete the unloading. Johnson praised the Family Crisis Center for its dedication to helping people in need, stating, “We’re just happy to help Kristy at the Family Crisis Center. They do a phenomenal job of helping people.”

Kristy Bradshaw, the center’s Victim’s Needs Coordinator and Volunteer Coordinator, has worked at the center for 14 years. Despite dealing with challenging situations such as domestic violence and sexual assault, she finds fulfillment in the positive impact of the center’s work. The recent food donation, she said, is a meaningful example of the community’s support.

The Family Crisis Center also relies on other food sources, including monthly food drives organized by JustServe groups and a “Rescue Program” that collects perishable food from local grocery stores. The program visits Albertsons, Broulim’s, and Walmart every Wednesday and Friday, collecting items that are still safe to eat but nearing their expiration dates. This ongoing effort underscores the center’s commitment to providing essential resources to those in need.

Source: Read the original report