By Mary Kozelka
Rock Center
In a nondescript industrial park in Salt Lake City, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints maintains a vast 500,000 sq. ft. warehouse with enough goods to rival your local Costco. From wheelchairs and toilet paper to sugar and bread, The Utah Bishops’ Central Storehouse is stocked.
Despite the prevalence of Mormon business success stories in the media -- most notably Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney -- one quarter of all U.S. Mormon households earn $30,000 a year or less according to Pew Research Center.
The storehouse, along with 110 similar facilities spread across the country, is part of the Mormon effort to help those in need, Mormon and non-Mormon alike.
“We'll help anyone at any time as long as we're able to do so and have those resources available to do so,” said Rick Foster, director of the church’s welfare operations, adding that there is no pressure to convert, but you do have to meet with your local congregation’s bishop, who will allow access to the store provided there is a need for assistance. The supplies are also available to help victims of natural disasters anywhere in the world.
While other religious and secular charities provide similar assistance to the world’s needy, the Mormon effort stands out in its organized self-sufficiency.
The storehouse and other facets of the Mormon welfare system, such as thrift stores, are primarily funded by Mormons who fast one Sunday every month for two consecutive meals, and then donate the money they would have spent on food to the church.
While medical supplies and other provisions are purchased by the church for the warehouse, almost all the food is sourced and produced by the Mormon community for charity. Fruit is harvested from Mormon orchards, vegetables are brought in from local Mormon farms, and even turkey and beef products found in the frozen section of the storehouse are brought in from Mormon ranches.
Not far from the Bishops’ Central Storehouse, in a place called Welfare Square, NBC’s Harry Smith watched Mormon volunteers bake bread, make cheese and bottle honey. These products are then packaged and most of them are donated to charity.
Thanks to these efforts, the storehouses hold enough supplies to support the church’s welfare efforts for an entire year.
Food and other supplies are transferred from the 110 regional storehouses to 142 grocery store-like setups across the country and around the world. No cash is accepted at these stores, but volunteer work is expected in return when those who received help are able to function independently again. The needy bring only their bishop-approved list and start shopping. Each store is staffed by volunteers.
“Some people come and it could be the worst day of their life.
They're really down. They've lost their job, their children are hungry. If they come and don't say one word, that's OK. As long as we didn't make them feel bad about coming for assistance,” said Sue Moore, who volunteers at Bishop Storehouse in Welfare Square in Salt Lake City.
Moore’s husband, Bob, reminisced about a homeless woman who came in search of food to feed her young children. The 6-year-old daughter looked at the food in disbelief and asked her mother: “Is this food for us?” He said such heartbreaking memories reinforce his belief in the cause.
“Life isn’t about getting something for nothing,” Bob Moore said.
Kirk Green, leader of a suburban Mormon congregation near Salt Lake City, agrees: “It's a commitment and a belief to follow Christ in the way that he lived his life. And one of the biggest ways he lived his life was taking care of the poor, those who are less fortunate, those who didn't have all the breaks in life.”
Editor's Note: Rock Center's in-depth look at the Mormon faith, 'Mormon in America,' airs Thursday, Aug. 23 at 10pm/9c on NBC's Rock Center with Brian Williams.
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Hmm another religion trying to buy its way into heaven.
Buy? Through giving it to the poor. Not a good model. Not a single person has ever become rich by being a Mormon leader (considering they aren't paid for their service).
Why would a church go to such extremes as to stockpile goods with out telling the rest of the world? Do they plan on sharing this stockpile or is it just for Mormons? Would Jesus have said this is for you but not for you? As far as I'm concerned anyone that hoards goods just for a select group of people are sinners and not deserving of the goods they hoard.
You truly are confused
You clearly did not read the article.
???
Weird post...
I lived in Utah for 17 years and thankfully recently left. Yeah, they'll help anybody but there are strings attached that you would not believe. The Mormon Church that I observed in Utah kept their poor very poor and their rich very rich. Very Republican of them.
What your saying doesn't even make sense.
People make their own destiny. No one can keep someone poor in this country!
I can see very clearly that you have never lived in Utah or known any mormons personally.
Wow. It all seems very Christlike for an organization that is often labled as not being Christian.
whoops... re-posted someone elses comment by mistake.
I have 100 lbs. of rice, 100 lbs. of lentil beans, and enough salt, honey, water and ways to harvest more, dried corn, etc. to last for a long, long time.
If things do go south by some unforeseen disaster, and the grocery stores lose their supply chains for a few months or so, the government will be of no use to you.
Just look at the relatively isolated example of Hurricane Katrina. Our government sat there completely caught off guard and largely unprepared, and watched people die.
I have always distrusted Mormons since my family went to Utah on vacation many years ago. Gold tablets from the angel Moron? HOWEVER as much as I distrust these people I distrust those who believe in NOTHING even more. A person who believes in nothing has nothing except their "word" to suggest that they have any moral values at all.
Atheists try to suggest that by their own will they have moral values no less honorable that Captain Kirk or Mr Spock.
This is as false as their belief that all the universe is an accident.
I invite all atheists to drive out into the countyside in the middle of the night, far from their hiding places in the big cities, and spend some time just looking at the stars in the sky.
l)
Then prove it.
I do that all the time. I am amazed by the universe and humbled by it without needing to resort to fantasies of supernatural all powerful beings to explain it. that's because I have both education and imagination instead of misplaced faith.
Having recently gotten out of the Mormon cult after 4yrs--I can tell you that this does NOT happen this way. The Mormons do NOT participate in any community activities whatsoever!! They will gladly take your tithe money, but do nothing for you. Also, they do not celebrate Christmas or Easter, last Easter they did not have church but had a live telecast of the bishop speaking if you wanted to come and watch. Also, the Sunday following Easter the bishop said that if you thought you were going to be like the thief on the cross & go to heaven with Jesus, it did not work that way--that was the last time I ever went. In order to get my name off their roll, it has taken 5months, letters on my part a nasty letter from the temple in SLC and not sure it has happened. Mormons do nothing without something in return. Be watchful of what Mitt Romeny says, he is very dangerous.
You are not telling the truth!
Everything you said is a lie!
The LDS people as a whole always celebrate Christmas and Easter.
Each ward frequently gathers together to do service projects.
If someone is in need all they need to do is ask their bishop and they will and do help them.
Why do you lie about something you obviously know nothing about????
What purpose does that serve?
You clearly know nothing about the LDS faith or its people or its practices.
gail, you are the worst kind of anti-Mormon. Why? Because your story is so patently false and clearly a lie that you lose all credibility. Perhaps there are reasons to criticize Mormons, but you have so blown it with a simple search of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert or Easter hymns, that you end up being the poster child for "bearing false witness."
The simple truth is, if you attend an LDS church service, it will feel very similar to a Presbyterian service, with a few scripture references that have the same message as the Bible but come from the Book of Mormon. But, the rest is pretty much what you find in a more traditional Christian service, right down to Communion and prayers offered in the name if Jesus Christ.
Speaking of Gawd:
Why doesn’t Jesus make an Appearance at Half Time of da Super Bowl? Wouldn’t that answer a lot of Questions and make a lot of Ministers, Priest’ etc. real Nervous.
Based on the "Vatican" Actions, it’s ok to be a “Pedophile” as long as you are Raping little boys. However being Gay is a Sin, Unacceptable and will not be Tolerated!
Why does da Pope surround himself with Armed Body Guards? Doesn’t he have Faith in Gawd?
Remember Folks….Da more you Donate Da more your Prayers are Answered.
Why do People become Really Religious when they get Really Old or go to Prison?
Why doesn't these Republican TeaBilly Conservative Religious Freaks demand to see a Birth Certificate for Gawd?
The Biggest Threat to all Religions…………………..Da Truth!
Yo Attention all Republican and TeaBilly Conservatives:
Why don't we start "Taxing" all of da Church’s? We both know it has become nothing more than a Corrupt Political Business.
You BetCha…..Fer Sure.
Sincerely,
Sarah P.
Charles Manson is a Mormon and probably paid the same or less in Taxes than Mitt "Profits over People" Romney.
Mormons do things that even make Charles Manson “Blush”.
You BetCha.....Fer Sure.
Thats a lie!
Mitt is about as Real as a Plastic Bananna!
Is it Mitt ____________Romney?
“Political Puppet”
“Taxes are for da Little People”
“I’m Not a Crook”
“Country Club”
“Middle Class Warfare”
“Not To Much..Out of Touch”
“Cheap Labor is Our Future”
“Outsourcing is Awesome”
“Just Tell me what ya Wanna Hear”
“Profits Over People”
“Corporations are People Too”
“Just Trust Me”
“F da Poor”
“No Substance”
“Let Detroit go Bankrupt”
“National Right to Work”
“Swiss Accounts”
“Flip Flop”
“Pray da Gay Away”
Mitt Romney’s Solution to all Problems…….Prayer and a Moment of Silence.
Da Biggest Threat to Mitt Romney’s Campaign……..da Truth!
Sounds like a "Ponzi" scheme to me. Little fish donate to big fish then have to beg for assistance.
Ya'll talk about Obama taking away your rights. Bush and Chaney Inc., trampled the Constitution and ignored the Bill of Rights. Where was the outrage then!
Neither Obama nor Romney will fix the mess this country is in. First, one does not have the experience and the second has experience bankrupting companies which is what both will do to the United States.
Instead of favoring political cronyism, appoint financial experienced individuals, male or female, with the understanding that they will be held accountable to the public.
The lds people only give what they can. They do not give more then they are able. and all donations are VOLUNTARY!
Romney being Morman is not the problem, Romney being Romney is the Problem, the guy stands for nothing has no ideas, no convictions, there is a certain meanness about the man, cant vote for him.
It would be nice if ever one thought like that. But they don't maybe thats why ever one throws off on each other.
No this article is not all truthful .yes there is pressure to convert..You must attend church every Sunday and volunteer at their church store until the time they think you have paid it back.Alot of folks that are hungry are turned away if they cant show any roots to the church!!..You never see the Mormon Church helping at the homeless shelter here in Salt Lake to serve up meals or donate food on the Holidays all other religions send folks down to help cook and serve the homeless but not the LDS church.I have lived here in Salt Lake for 50 years and this is the truth.
Your comment is laughable!!!!
no one is forced to go to church. I am lds and haven't been in a church for years.
No one is ever forced to do anything in the church!
I know of several families that were not lds that were given assistance from the church in their time of need.
The LDS church sends out their boy scouts to gather food for the food banks all the time.
Your comments are completely fabricated.
I am LDS and have served with my entire youth group on an Easter morning at the SLC homeless shelter. I also distinctly remember not flaunting my religion we just showed up, and did the work asked of us, met some amazing people in the process as well. I didn't wear a name tag identifying myself as LDS. My LDS aunt and her husband volunteer as well on a regular basis at the homeless shelter in SLC. Maybe the next time you are down at the shelter's and soup kitchens you should ask people their religions. I would assume that there is a good mix of the many religions found within Utah and SLC and that you will indeed find Mormons there. Also for the last two years my ward has donated over 50 quilts and over 200 stocking hats to the homeless shelters of Utah and to Women's abuse centers.
I recently served with the Relief Society (Women's LDS group) I observed how those in need were taken care of. I also noticed that many of those getting help through the church were not members or inactive. And, there was no judgement on anyone's part as to what they needed it was given with no strings attached. I've seen the paperwork, and all it is, is a preprinted invoice stating what they need clothes, food, bills paid for ect. No box for what their membership status is or if missionaries need to be sent etc. Also, even after getting aid, I rarely see those people in the halls of the church, some times they come for a time on their own. I am always glad to know though that my neighbors needs are being taken care of while they are having a tough time. No one wants to see a family without a Christmas. Or an older gentleman not have proper clothing to even get to a church any church.
Must all be Bushs fault .LOL...Romney..Ryan..2012
They may be kind and giving on the outside, but they will politically operate to restrict your rights when they can like they did in California against gay marriage.
Plus this is the same cult that contains the last vestiages of child brides and polygamy.
You are mistaken.
The LDS church which is the church that Romney belongs to is not the same church as the FLDS church.
It is the FLDS church that has polygamy and child brides.
They are not the same church.
BTW gay marriage is not a "right" Every man and woman has the right to marry someone of the other gender sex.
Asking for Gay marriage is asking for a special right.
All regions are a bunch of make believe crap that never really happen in real life. No one knows but all organize religions like to think their gods made up the planet. Stop lying to yourselves.
People who manage and follow organize religion use it as a tool to look down at the same people they see in the mirror everyday.
You people dismiss it as well, "it's faith"....etc. Because you have no way to rationalize it. It's all lies you tools!
I wonder who gets first dibs at those supplies in the warehouses, not to mention the personal stashes Mormons are asked to keep. Somehow I doubt they'd think of their neighbors before themselves, or even at the same time as themselves. Instead, they'd probably gloat like anyone else, not feeling much need to help the unprepared, who obviously have only themselves to blame.
When was the last time you thought of your neighbor before yourself?
When was the last time you helped someone in need?
Dear We the corporations?:
You and your fellow Democrats are the joke of our country. This same type of narrow minded ideal was pushed when JFK was running for President, saying Catholicism is too extreme and we should not elect a Catholic. Romney, not ONCE has injected Mormon dogma into his political life. You will be just like the rest of the Democrats, crying on November 2012 re: the downfall of the Prez and allot of Democrats. Don't let the door hit you in the A_— moron.
What other religion has the forethought to acquire and distribute their own supplies in case of need?
That is good; because of the recession, it is about 51 mil. people in USA without health care insurance; can they deliver?
Mormons are the equalivalent of todays Islamist. They are a very extreme sect. There are some that are moderate, but most are very conservative religious wise. They will gladly smile and donate, but they will try to force conversion when they are the power.
No pressure to convert? Doubtful. Mormons send missionaries all over the word to pressure people to convert. And the stockpiling is not just about helping people in need, it's also because they think the armageddon is approaching.
What a bunch of crap writing. NBC you are sooooooooooo in the tank for Obama. Why else would an article come out on this subject at this time. Now, write a nice big article about Reverenc Wright and his anti-American teachings while Obama and his family sat in the pew hollaring Amen.