Church donates over 35,000 pounds of butter and cheese to North Texas food banks

Greenville, TX (September 5, 2025) – The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints supported local hunger relief efforts with a truckload delivery of butter and cheese to two North Texas food banks, including FISH Ministries in Greenville on August 29, 2025.

A total of 24 pallets—12 of butter and 12 of cheese—were distributed between Hunt County Shared Ministries (FISH) in Greenville and Harvesting International in Mansfield. Each organization received 6 pallets of butter and 6 pallets of cheese, over 35,000 pounds of food in total.

The donation included:

• Butter: 1-pound tubs, 18 per case, 65 cases per pallet – 7,020 tubs total across both organizations
• Cheddar Cheese: 1-pound wrapped blocks, 20 per case, 90 cases per pallet – 10,800 blocks total across both organizations

Milk and Dairy products are among the most requested, yet least available items at food pantries. Many food pantry clients struggle to afford these items or lack access to proper refrigeration to store them, according to Feeding America.

Diane Wright, Director of Lake Area Shared Ministries Food Pantry commented on the delivery.

“We serve approximately 700 families a week. We have not been able to get cheese or butter in months, maybe even a year, so this is a blessing. God’s got His hand on this.”

Rebeka Ecker, Director of Development – Hunt County Shared Ministries shared how the donations would be distributed.

“God is so good! We were blessed to receive 7,020 tubs of butter and 10,800 blocks of cheese from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This gift was shared with 10 partner agencies—including Lake Area Shared Ministries in Quinlan, Bread of Life and Commerce Food Pantry in Commerce, and the Wolfe City Food Pantry. We were also able to share with SCRPT in serving approximately 750 at-risk Hunt County Seniors as well as, several local fire departments. Sharing our resources and helping more families is how we love our neighbors and strengthen Hunt County.” She said.

The donation originated from the Church’s dairy operations in Utah and reflects one of its regional humanitarian priorities—helping meet basic nutritional needs. Texas leads the nation in food insecurity, and the Dallas–Fort Worth area ranks third among U.S. metro regions for the number of residents facing hunger, according to Feeding America.

The Church’s ongoing partnerships with Harvesting International and Hunt County Shared Ministries include both food donations and volunteer support, with a shared mission to alleviate hunger and promote self-reliance while treating every individual with dignity and respect.

If you need more information on options for donations or if you would like to know more about volunteer opportunities, please visit www.hcsmfish.org. All donations can be delivered to Hunt County Shared Ministries at 2805 King Street.

Press release submitted by Sara Gividen, edited for publication in Blue Ribbon News. Courtesy photo.

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