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| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sending the first of 250 semitrucks, specifically designated to the America250 celebration, delivering food donations to 250 food banks across all 50 states. These trucks are at the Bishops’ Central Storehouse in Salt Lake City on Thursday, November 13, 2025. |
SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH — The countdown to America's 250th anniversary is officially underway, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is leading with an extraordinary act of service. In collaboration with America250, the nonpartisan congressional commission responsible for commemorating the Semiquincentennial (the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence), the Church has launched a massive, nationwide effort rooted in humanitarian aid and community service.
The centerpiece of this announcement is a historic food donation: the Church is sending the first of 250 designated semitrucks, each loaded with critical food supplies, to reach 250 food banks across all 50 states.
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| Members of local JustServe clubs assemble food kits at the Bishops’ Central Storehouse in Salt Lake City on Thursday, November 13, 2025. |
A Prelude to Partnership: Food for Every State
This monumental food delivery—an immediate prelude to the full celebration set for 2026—is a powerful statement about the Church’s enduring commitment to self-reliance and compassionate service.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles emphasized the spirit of the collaboration. "As we mark this historic milestone, we hope to foster a spirit of unity, peacemaking and goodwill," he shared. "The anniversary is an opportunity for all to come together, serve together, and express gratitude for the freedoms that have allowed all faiths — including ours — to flourish.”
The timing is poignant. As Elder Michael A. Dunn, a General Authority Seventy, noted, the Church was founded in 1830 in the United States, "thanks in great measure to the religious freedoms established by the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution."
"It’s really fitting that as we prepare to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the founding of our Church just four years from now, we join today with other faiths and other organizations this year to commemorate this very pivotal moment in our nation’s history,” said Elder Dunn.
Elder Gerrit W. Gong (left) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles is joined by Elder Matthew S. Holland of the Seventy (back left) and Church Hosting Director Gordon Smith (middle) as the Apostle speaks with America250 Chair Rosie Rios (right), in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on Thursday, November 13, 2025.
The Power of Unity, Not Just Independence
The announcement was made at the Bishops’ Central Storehouse in Salt Lake City, the hub of the Church's welfare operations. Distinguished guests included Rosie Rios, Chair of America250 and former U.S. Treasurer, along with America250 Commissioners Cathy Gillespie and Lynn Forney Young.
Chair Rios was deeply moved by the welfare operation, noting that the initiative speaks to a greater national need. “Although technically, yes, we are celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, I think this is really, for me, a moment of unity, not just independence," she stated.
Commissioner Gillespie underscored the critical role of faith-based organizations in national service, highlighting that "More than 30% of all volunteer hours in the United States are generated by faith-based organizations.” She added that "Service can unite us. It invites people from every background to work side by side, regardless of political or religious views.”
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| These trucks are at the Bishops’ Central Storehouse in Salt Lake City on Thursday, November 13, 2025. |
The Details of the Donation
Each of the 250 trucks will carry approximately 40,000 pounds of essential food supplies. The contents—which include canned fruits, vegetables, and meats, as well as staples like pasta, flour, pancake mix, and dried milk—are mostly produced by the Church’s own welfare operations and funded by member donations.
Blaine Maxfield, managing director of the Church’s Welfare and Self-Reliance Services, highlighted the foundational principles behind the action. “This work reflects our commitment to help individuals through principles of self-reliance and service... Following the example of Jesus Christ, we strive to love our neighbor. Each of us can have an impact in our own communities through service.”
The first five truckloads are scheduled to leave next week for specific destinations, including one shipment to Grand Blanc, Michigan, offered in gratitude for the community's support following a local tragedy.
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| The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sending the first of 250 semitrucks, specifically designated to the America250 celebration, delivering food donations to 250 food banks across all 50 states. This truck is at the Bishops’ Central Storehouse in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. |
Extending the Invitation, JustServe and FamilySearch
The partnership extends well beyond this massive food delivery, focusing on service, family history, and music in the run-up to 2026.
Service with JustServe
The Church’s popular community service platform, JustServe.org, is collaborating with America250’s America Gives initiative. Truck designs prominently feature both America250 and JustServe logos, transforming them into moving billboards for volunteerism throughout the nation. The goal is to make 2026 a record-setting year of service. Church members and non-members alike are invited to find meaningful ways to give back through the special America250 landing page on the platform.
Connecting Through FamilySearch
In 2026, FamilySearch will join the celebration by inspiring families and individuals to preserve and share their own narratives. This effort will highlight family stories that helped shape the nation, reminding all Americans of their place in the ongoing story of the United States.
Sister Tracy Y. Browning of the Church's Primary General Presidency brought the impact of the donation to a personal level, recalling how children often respond when asked how they can serve someone: “one of the most common answers that they give is to share their food with one of their friends. This teaches me that even our youngest children recognize when their friends are hungry and instinctively want to help fill empty bellies."
Chair Rios concluded with a moving personal testimony, sharing that as someone who "grew up on the charity of my church," she recognizes how crucial these efforts are: “If my mom were here, she would recognize that as well — how important our church communities are to the fabric of our country and to me personally.
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