The following is excerpted from the Church Newsroom. To read the full article, CLICK HERE.
As the United States prepares to commemorate its 250th anniversary, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is collaborating with America250 in recognition of the freedoms established through the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.
America250 is a nonpartisan congressional commission working to engage every American in celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Church will collaborate on initiatives focused on service, family history and music.
Today, the Church offered a prelude of its participation in the celebration by sending the first of 250 semitrucks, specifically designated to the America250 celebration, delivering food donations to 250 food banks across all 50 states.
“As we mark this historic milestone, we hope to foster a spirit of unity, peacemaking and goodwill,” said Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “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.”
Rosie Rios, Chair of America250 and former U.S. Treasurer, as well as America250 Commissioners Cathy Gillespie and Lynn Forney Young, were in Salt Lake City for the announcement.
“This is truly a historic moment for all of us,” Chair Rios said. “What we just saw in our tour of the [Bishops’ Central Storehouse] reminds us all why we do what we do. 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. It’s unity here in what the Church is doing, what the Church has always done, and what the Church continues to do.”
Commissioner Gillespie added that “today’s announcement is about more than just food donations. It is about inspiring a spirit of service that defines who we are as Americans.”
Faith-based organizations, she said, are leading the way in service.
“More than 30% of all volunteer hours in the United States are generated by faith-based organizations,” Commissioner Gillespie said. “Service can unite us. It invites people from every background to work side by side, regardless of political or religious views.”
Elder Michael A. Dunn, a General Authority Seventy, noted that the Church was founded in the United States in 1830 “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,” Elder Dunn said.
The 250 truckloads of food are part of the Church’s ongoing humanitarian efforts and have been designated to the America250 celebration. As they travel to every state, their design with JustServe.org and America250 logos signifies the collaboration between the two organizations, encouraging nationwide service throughout 2026. The first five truckloads will leave next week for food banks in Oregon, Michigan, Arkansas, Texas and Missouri.
To read the full article from the Church Newsroom, CLICK HERE.
