Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (sometimes referred to as the “LDS Church” or “Mormons”) will join with friends and neighbors from other local churches this Saturday, Sept. 29, to “Pack the Pantries” of the National Capital Area Food Bank. This “Day to Serve” comes in response to the call from elected officials, including Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley, who said:

We are asking all our fellow citizens to us join in service the last weekend in September—and really throughout the month—in service to combat hunger. ... I appreciate the commitment of Elder Jack Gerard of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in assisting us with our efforts and bringing together our partners in the other states for this very important community service initiative.

The “Pack the Pantries” project aims to collect enough food to provide meals for 1,000 families living in the greater Washington, DC, area. In addition to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the area churches supporting this effort are: the Christ Lutheran Church, All Souls Unitarian Church, Zion Baptist Church, Nineteenth Street Baptist Church, First Baptist Church and the Wesley Theological Seminary.

Ron Harrison, president of the Washington, DC, Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, said that “hunger has no boundaries and can be found in all communities. ... We are overjoyed to be a part of this community, and reach out our hands in friendship and service.”

Those interested in helping on Saturday morning should come to the new LDS chapel at 4901 16th St., NW, Washington, DC, from 9 a.m. to noon to drop off donations, help package food into boxes or deliver the boxes to the Food Bank. Items that are still needed include: cereal, canned vegetables, beans, peanut butter, jelly, tuna, fruit, macaroni and cheese, soup and crackers or snacks. 

For more information, contact Debbie Harrison at debbie.harrison@marriott.com, or sign up for a volunteer shift here.