The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partners with Well of Hope Food Bank to help locals facing food insecurities

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has partnered with the Well of Hope Food Bank to help locals facing food insecurities.

Well of Hope is a local food bank and thrift store, located in the Clermont area, that has a mission to “assist individuals and families toward their goals and life achievements by helping them with quality and healthier food, clothing, furniture, job training, employment opportunities, and educational classes focusing on family health and community growth." 

Over the last several months, the church has established a working relationship with Well of Hope through the JustServe app.

JustServe is a community service initiative started by the church to help people follow the Savior’s admonition to “love thy neighbor as thyself” by providing a platform where the community can find voluntary opportunities to assist those in need and enhance the quality of life in the area. 

Members of the Orlando Florida West Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ, located in Horizon West, have been volunteering time to help at Well of Hope and saw a greater need. 

The church extended a humanitarian grant to Well of Hope, which include a large some of food deliveries from their Bishops’ Storehouse. 

“We are honored to partner with Well of Hope to help relieve the burdens faced by many members of our community," said President Gary Hansen, who oversees the 13 local congregations of the church that make up the Orlando Florida West Stake.

The church’s mission of the Bishops’ Storehouse is “to help fulfill the Savior's charge to care for His children, and to help those in need become self-reliant, while keeping them on their feet.” The storehouse is run by volunteer service missionaries for the church, as well as local member volunteers. 

Photo courtesy of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Pastor Michael Hopewell and his wife Christine, of New Water Church in Davenport, serve as ministers at Well of Hope. The pair were invited to take a tour of the storehouse and pick up their first delivery earlier this week. 

Elder Portlock, service missionary and manager of the storehouse, and Michael Hopewell loaded up the first order of food, which consisted of several pallets of food totaling 4,000 pounds. 

Items included rice, pinto beans, black beans, white beans, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, beef stew, pork and beans, chili, peaches, tuna fish, peanut butter, and strawberry and raspberry jam. Other items available at the storehouse include frozen meats, dairy and fresh produce.

These food deliveries will expand over the year and will be available to Well of Hope when needed.

For more information on the church, click here.