The Thurston County Food Bank accepted a full semi-truck load of food from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Humanitarian Aid & Welfare Program on Thursday, March 5.
The 40,000 pounds of shelf-stable food is enough to feed about 1,400 families for a week, according to volunteer mobilization group JustServe, which helped coordianate the delivery.
“We know that the unhoused population of Thurston County is large and needs assistance and care,” said Church spokesperson Dan Jensen. “When you look at a semi-truck full of food, you’re really looking at thousands of quiet acts of kindness from Church members who give so others don’t go hungry. This is how we try to live our faith — by showing up in very practical ways for our neighbors.”
The Thurston County Food Bank delivery is one of 250 the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is delivering to food banks across the country in the months leading up to July 4 as part of America Gives.
A national initiative through America250, America Gives urges individuals and organizations to increase their volunteering impact in 2026 in as a way to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary.
According to most recent information from Feeding America cited by JustServe, 12.3% of Thurston County’s residents are food insecure. Low-income homes experience much higher food insecurity — approaching 55% — significantly above pre-pandemic levels.
The Thurston County Food Bank served approximately 50,000 people last year, according to a spokesperson. The food bank’s Olympia Food Pantry sees about 250 people each day it's open, and its Lacey Food Pantry sees about 220.
The food bank also has satellite locations throughout the county.
Other services offered by the Thurston County Food Bank include bags for newborns, baby supplies, essential non-food items like menstrual supplies, birthday bags for youth 17 and under, school break programs, and pet food.
For more information, including how to access services and how to volunteer or donate, visit https://tcfb.org/
