Catholic Charities of East Tennessee Receives 40,000-Pound Food Donation Through JustServe's America250 Campaign

On September 17, Catholic Charities of East Tennessee was honored to receive a remarkable 40,000-pound food donation through JustServe's America250 campaign, a nationwide service initiative supported by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The donation is part of a larger effort to combat food insecurity, strengthen communities, and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence through the America Gives Initiative.

As part of this historic campaign, 250 America250/JustServe-branded semi-trucks are delivering food to 250 food banks and community organizations across all 50 states. Each truck carries up to 40,000 pounds of shelf-stable food, providing millions of meals to families experiencing food insecurity. Donations typically include canned fruits and vegetables, meats, pasta, flour, pancake mix, and dried milk. Much of the food is produced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and made possible through members' fast offerings.

For Catholic Charities of East Tennessee, this generous contribution comes at a critical time as many individuals and families continue to face challenges accessing nutritious food. The donation has significantly strengthened the organization's hunger relief efforts and expanded its ability to serve vulnerable neighbors throughout the region.

The food donation helped fully restock several key Catholic Charities programs, including HOPE Kitchen, the Crazy Quilt Appalachian Outreach Center food pantry, and Samaritan Place. In addition, food was distributed to trusted community partners, including St. Mary's, REC Ministries, and Ladies of Charity, extending the impact of the donation to even more people in need across East Tennessee.

This initiative reflects a shared commitment to service and community engagement. Through JustServe.org, volunteers are connected with meaningful local service opportunities and encouraged to participate in the America Gives Initiative by supporting projects that strengthen their communities. The partnership demonstrates how organizations, faith communities, and volunteers can work together to address pressing needs and create lasting impact.

"We are deeply grateful to JustServe, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and the many volunteers who made this impactful donation possible," said Catholic Charities of East Tennessee. "Their generosity is helping us provide nourishment, dignity, and hope to individuals and families throughout our communities."

As demand for food assistance continues across the region, partnerships like this play a vital role in sustaining hunger relief efforts and ensuring that no one has to face food insecurity alone. This donation not only replenished food supplies but also reinforced a shared commitment to caring for our neighbors and building a stronger East Tennessee.

Catholic Charities of East Tennessee extends its heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making this donation possible. Together, we are turning compassion into action, feeding hope, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of our neighbors.