When Cecily Ballungay of Hope Ministries Inc. answered her phone, she was not expecting what she heard: A phone call explaining the ‘250 Truck” load of food that was literally an answer to prayer.

“The food was a tremendous blessing,” HOPE Program Director Barbara Goode said. “We can now have food ready for families when they arrive at our apartments.”

As part of America250’s nationwide “America Gives” initiative and supported by JustServe, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints partnered with America250 and launched a nationwide service effort.

This year, 250 truckloads of donated food are being distributed to 250 food banks across all 50 states. Each truck carries approximately 40,000 pounds of food supplies, totaling an estimated 10 million pounds of aid donated by the Church.

These donations can help anyone in need, and reflect the importance of unity, service, generosity and a shared commitment to following Jesus Christ.

America250 is the congressionally-mandated initiative to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Declaration of Independence. Different groups and individuals across the land have sponsored celebrations and events all year to celebrate this important moment in American history.

“The 250th anniversary is an opportunity for all to come together, to serve together, and to express gratitude for the freedoms that have allowed all faiths — including ours — to flourish,” said LDS Church leader Gerrit Gong.

Pastor Cynthia Jackson, of Manteca-based Transformed through Hope Ministries, attended the event with several members of her congregation.

“These gifts allow us to bless families in need with items to stretch their food budget even more,” she said. “We are so thankful for the commodities received from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.”

The America 250 food truck carried canned vegetables, beans, spaghetti sauce, diced tomatoes, chili, pork & beans, salsa, cake mixes, hot cocoa, and peanut butter, as well as pasta, flour, oats and dish soap.

These items were largely produced by Church operations, or funded through member donations. The 18-wheeler arrived at the Tracy Interfaith Ministries food bank last Thursday morning, ready to provide thousands of meals to many residents of South San Joaquin County.

“We at St Paul's United Methodist Church Food Pantry really appreciated the pallet of groceries we received,” Founding Director Stephen Parsons noted. “It really helped meet our food supply needs in feeding the food insecure in our neighborhood.”

Eight smaller food banks from Manteca, Ripon, and Tracy shared the Church’s food donations with Tracy Interfaith, including Hope Ministries, Inc., the Lutheran Church pantry, St. Paul’s Methodist Church, and Transformed Through Hope Ministries in Manteca; Ripon Interfaith Ministries in Ripon, and Brighter Christmas, McHenry House, and New Creation Bible Fellowship in Tracy.

“The generous donation of a truckload of food from the LDS church will go a long way in serving families in need throughout the Ripon community. Thank you so much,” said Kirk Waters, volunteer at Ripon Interfaith Ministries, said.

Local leaders participating in the America250 event included San Joaquin County Supervisor Robert Rickman, Manteca Mayor Gary Singh, Jason Noll from Tracy Unified School District, and Frances Misquez, Executive Director of Tracy Interfaith Ministries.

Mayor Gary Singh presented a certificate to Ken Brown on behalf of the city of Manteca, and said, “I’m happy to recognize the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ participation in America250, and the city commends its generosity, compassion, dedication, and commitment to service and unity.” Mr. Rickman, noting that San Joaquin County is one of the fastest growing areas in California, with growing needs, presented a $20,000 check from the county to Mrs. Misquez for equipment needs at Tracy Interfaith.

Church leaders included Ken Brown, Manteca Stake presidency; Mark Curry, Manteca Stake Communications Director; and Terry Weaver, Welfare & Self-reliance Manager.

Ken Brown, who spoke about our God-given rights and the freedom we have to act and to work together across various faiths, made the analogy that, “An 18-wheeled truck distributes the weight so it can carry a heavy load – similarly, volunteers are like wheels, and together they can carry loads of service to others that no one individual could carry.”

This event brought together over 120 local leaders, volunteers, and representatives of various faith organizations both to celebrate the donation, and to prepare to distribute food to families in need.

Attendees were welcomed with a breakfast of bacon, eggs, pancakes, and orange juice provided and prepared by local members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from Manteca.

Within just 3 hours, 40,000 pounds of food was well on its way to help sustain people all over south San Joaquin County.