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.
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| Temple Square is always beautiful in the springtime. Gardeners work to prepare the ground for General Conference. © 2012 Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved. | 1 / 2 |
“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.
“Our trucks can be loaded and dispatched anywhere they’re needed,” said Blaine Maxfield, managing director of the Church’s Welfare and Self-Reliance Services. “This work reflects our commitment to help individuals through principles of self-reliance and service. These programs are far-reaching and rooted in compassion, designed to lift individuals, families and communities during times of greatest need, and rooted in principles of love, service and self-reliance. This work happens one by one. 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.”
JustServe is collaborating with America250’s America Gives initiative to make 2026 a record-setting year of volunteer service. JustServe is a community service platform that connects volunteers with local organizations to help meet community needs and build unity through service. Church members across the United States are invited to participate in service projects in their communities listed on the special America250 landing page on JustServe.org. The platform offers individuals and families meaningful ways to give back to their communities.
FamilySearch will join the America250 celebration in 2026 by highlighting family stories that helped shape the nation. The FamilySearch activities will seek to inspire families and individuals to preserve and share their own stories for future generations. More details will be announced in 2026.
Church members are invited to join this nationwide expression of unity and gratitude through service opportunities with JustServe and FamilySearch initiatives.
Sister Tracy Y. Browning of the Church's Primary General Presidency said in her travels, she often asks children, “How can you serve someone this week?”
“It’s always surprising to me that one of the most common answers that they give is to share their food with one of their friends,” Sister Browning said. “This teaches me that even our youngest children recognize when their friends are hungry and instinctively want to help fill empty bellies. Their natural inclination to notice hunger in their friends and respond with compassion and support reminds us why this effort really matters.”
Chair Rios said she knows the power of such service firsthand.
“As a product of someone who grew up on the charity of my church, as someone who grew up as the product of someone who might have received this generous food bank donation, it means everything to me,” Chair Rios said. “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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The Honorable Rosie Rios, Chair of America250, honks the horn of a semitruck at the Bishops’ Central Storehouse in Salt Lake City on Thursday, November 13, 2025. 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.© 2025 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.About Today’s Donation Truck Send-Off
Each truck will contain approximately 40,000 pounds of food supplies donated by the Church. Contents will include a variety of canned fruits, vegetables and meats, pasta, flour, pancake mix and dried milk. Most of the goods are produced by the Church and funded by Church member donations.
The first five semitruck loads will be sent to the following U.S. cities:
- Eugene, Oregon. Food for Lane County. Arriving on November 18.
- Lonoke, Arkansas. Family Resource Services, Arkansas. Arriving on November 19.
- Columbia, Missouri. Food Bank for Central and Northeast Missouri. Arriving on November 19.
- Texas City, Texas. Galveston County Food Bank. Arriving on November 19.
- Grand Blanc, Michigan. Food Pantry – FISH of Grand Blanc. Arriving on November 19, in gratitude for the generous support given to members of the Church by the people of Grand Blanc following the tragedy at a Latter-day Saint chapel.
About The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is a global faith centered on Jesus Christ and His teachings. With more than 17 million members worldwide, the Church seeks to follow the Savior’s example by strengthening individuals, families, and communities through worship and service.
About America250
America250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, marking America’s Semiquincentennial. We aim to inspire our fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation. America250 will foster shared experiences that spark imagination, showcase the rich tapestry of our American stories, inspire service in our communities, honor the enduring strength, and celebrate the resilience of the United States of America.
About JustServe
JustServe is a community service platform sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that connects volunteers with local service opportunities. Its purpose is to help individuals and organizations strengthen their communities by serving together.
About FamilySearch
FamilySearch is a nonprofit organization sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints that provides free access to genealogical records, resources, and tools to help all people discover and connect with their families.