Working Together to Provide Relief and Support
April 29, 2026 - Lori Mortensen
It was an event of truckload proportions. On April 16th and 23rd, two surplus food trucks—one carrying over 1,000 cases of frozen meat and the other more than 1,000 cases of milk—arrived at the Food Bank of El Dorado that served as the central hub for a large-scale food distribution effort. In partnership with Twin Lakes Food Bank and Rancho Cordova Food Hub, the Food Bank of El Dorado County helped ensure these vital resources reached communities across multiple areas. These generous deliveries came from the Central Bishops’ Storehouse in Salt Lake City as part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ program dedicated to providing relief and support.
“While [bishop’s] storehouses provide many of the same services as any retail food store,” said President Thomas S. Monson, “not one has a cash register . . . These are goods that money cannot buy. No price tag is put on the time, effort, and love so generously contributed to the common good of those in need.” The Central Bishops’ Storehouse sends trucks out weekly throughout the United States. The storehouse is stocked with essential commodities funded through generous donations from Church members. At a moment’s notice, food and supplies from the Central Bishops’ Storehouse in Salt Lake City can be sent to those affected by natural disasters, wars, or economic crises.
Over two thousand cases of meat and milk were delivered for distribution to the food banks.
“Throughout history,” reports the Church, “storehouses have been used as a means of preparation . . . When Joseph was serving Pharaoh in Egypt, he built a storehouse in response to a dream that Pharaoh had. The dream revealed that there would be seven years of plenty followed by seven years of drought.” In 1831, the Prophet Joseph Smith received revelation to re-establish the bishop’s storehouse to provide for the Saints arriving in Ohio from New York and Pennsylvania. Storehouses continue to serve as a vital resource that helps people in time of need.
Food banks, such as Food Bank of El Dorado County, purchase food directly and receive donations from local farmers, food drives, and area vendors. Hundreds of volunteers assist with sorting items, assembling program boxes, helping at distribution, coordinating vendor pickups and providing administrative support. Last year Food Bank of El Dorado distributed over 4 million pounds of food to partner charities and through their own distributions. These services support those in the low-income bracket, including single parents, seniors, veterans, and families struggling to make ends meet.
The Central Bishops’ Storehouse of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was pleased to support The Food Bank of El Dorado County, Twin Lakes Food Bank, and Rancho Cordova Food Hub in their efforts to support those in need. For more information about these organizations, visit:
https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/life/bishops-storehouse?lang=eng