Food Bank of York Region shows appreciation for church volunteers

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has been a big supporter of the food bank in the last few years

Previous Next

1 / 1 Since 2020, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJCLDS) has sent their revolving number of visiting Elders and Sisters to the FBYR as volunteers working in the warehouse to sort, and pack food for residents across York Region.Food Bank of York Region

Expand

NEWS RELEASE
FOOD BANK OF YORK REGION
*************************
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (CJCLDS) has been a big supporter of the Food Bank of York Region (FBYR) in the last few years, and the FBYR wants to recognize and highlight their ongoing involvement through contributions and commitments as an organization.

Since 2020, the CJCLDS has sent their revolving number of visiting Elders and Sisters to the FBYR as volunteers working in the warehouse to sort, and pack food for residents across York Region. They have been a hard-working, vital, and committed group of volunteers.

“The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have been a huge supporter of the FBYR and our programs,’ says Alex Bilotta, founder and CEO of the Food Bank of York Region. “They have the same passion for helping those in need and shown us a great amount of dedication. We are truly grateful for their generosity.”

Over the last two years, the FBYR has had 16 volunteer Elders and Sisters who have contributed over 800 hours of volunteering and 265 shifts at the FBYR warehouse. They’ve been a stand-out group of members at the FBYR volunteer program, vital to the success of the food security programs, and set a great example of an actively engaged member of the community.

“It’s amazing what a partnership can do. We spread hope, we give back, and help fight food insecurity as much as we can, with the tools we are given,” says Agnes Wong, Just Serve specialist for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. “We want to encourage all community organizations and resident members out there to get involved on a level that they can, but at the end of the day, to just be a part of the solution against hunger.”

In 2021, the FBYR was able to help feed just under 23,000 unique individuals across 7,000 households throughout their network, and 6,000 individuals in 2,500 households through their home delivery program. The CJCLDS organization has also helped the FBYR apply for their annual Bishops Storehouse donation program and supplied the FBYR with generous donations of purchased non-perishables food items to help feed more people in need.

“Being a volunteer at the FBYR has been great. I feel good about the work I am doing here and love how hands on my impact really is. I am literally packing someone’s food hamper that’s going to be delivered to their home the next day,” stated Elder Scott. “If we’re not here, then who’s going to pack the hampers and have them ready for delivery? The FBYR is a non-profit and they work hard, but they simply can’t do everything. That’s why we are needed, and it feels great to give back,” explains Elder Johnston.

Other ways to give that make an impact to your Food Bank: