by Becky Brown, Killeen Texas Stake Assistant Communication Director
KILLEEN, Texas — A cold front moved in to Killeen, Texas, early on Sept. 10, 2020, the same time that a semi trailer of food would need unloading. The expression “cold hands, warm hearts” accurately describes a group of volunteers who got the job done in spite of the brisk temperatures.
Members from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- day Saints showed up at Killeen Food Care Center to help. About 38,000 pounds of food arrived from the church’s humanitarian center in Salt Lake City, Utah. The much needed food will be distributed among 12 to 15 smaller food banks in the Greater Killeen area.
Food distributed to surrounding areas
Volunteers loaded and delivered 6,200 pounds of the donated food to other destinations. A smaller truck trekked to food banks in Copperas Cove, Lampasas and the Cove House Homeless Shelter in Copperas Cove. As a result, the donation will greatly assist many people in need during the pandemic.
Deseret Transportation driver, Wade Spencer, reiterated that the Church has surplus food to donate. In light of this, Julie Poole, Church Welfare and Self Reliance Manager for the North America Southwest Area, helped to organize the delivery. Poole said that four additional trucks rolled out of Salt Lake City en route to food banks in Central Texas as well.
Raymond Cockrell thanks volunteers
Executive director of the Killeen Food Care Center, Raymond Cockrell, spoke of the donation with gratitude. “This year we will serve over 100,000 folks with 3 million pounds of groceries due to COVID. Additionally, we partner with churches and service organizations to distribute over 5,000 emergency relief boxes that have 25 pounds of shelf stable product for seniors and shut-ins,” he said.
The Food Care Center owns a community garden where residents can plant, cultivate and harvest produce. Cockrell expressed his appreciation for those who volunteer at the Food Care Center or donate goods. He explained that they couldn’t function without local, consistent volunteers from various groups such as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ missionaries, many local church and civic groups and individuals who kindly serve, or provide generous food donations.
For those who may be interested in volunteering at the Food Care Center or another food bank or non-profit organization that needs service, please go to JustServe.org.
For non-profit organizations in need of volunteers, JustServe.org is free and provides a way to bridge service opportunities for religious and community groups with individuals who are looking for ways to serve. Please contact Mark or Marie Sorensen at justservekilleen@yahoo.com.
