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Volunteers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints joined with other organizations at the Rainbow PUSH Coalition headquarters in Chicago from September 11 to 13, 2025, to provide food for families experiencing food insecurity.
The event was organized through JustServe and involved volunteers sorting two semitrucks carrying a total of 70,000 pounds of food supplied by the Church. On September 13, the group distributed grocery bags containing dry goods, frozen meat, and dairy products to more than 1,000 families. Remaining supplies were delivered to a local food pantry.
The Rev. Jesse Jackson attended on Saturday. His son Yusef Jackson explained that Rev. Jackson has progressive supranuclear palsy but appreciated seeing the community service. “This service project brightened his face, it put a smile in his heart,” said Yusef Jackson, executive director of RPC. “Feeding the hungry — the mission directly from Jesus Christ — is important to us. We believe this is our duty to continue to serve. All four gospels mention Jesus feeding people.”
Shonnell Hampton, a recipient and mother of a child with autism, described how receiving food helped her family: “[This food is] a bridge between grocery shopping and having to buy necessities so I’m able to get other things instead of food with the money that I need,” she said. “It literally helps me put food on my table for my son.”
Chicagoland JustServe representative Matia Marcucci called feeding the hungry “the gospel in action.” Marcucci added: “Serving in our community is the way that we love God and love our neighbor,” and described working alongside others as fulfilling.
This partnership between The Church of Jesus Christ and RPC reflects broader efforts by the faith worldwide. According to its recent summary report for 2024, The Church spent $1.45 billion on humanitarian aid last year across nearly 200 countries and territories while supporting thousands of projects globally.
Marcucci explained that interfaith dialogue led to this collaboration: “We started talking about what we could do to collaborate with them to serve the needs of their community... Food insecurity was the thing that came up.” She noted they chose September for distribution as children returned to school.
The Rev. Dr. Janette C. Wilson highlighted how different generations and backgrounds worked together: “People are volunteering time and energy and effort... We are saying to other faith groups across the nation: We must all bind together to feed the hungry.”
Keisha Edwards, Relief Society president for Chicago’s Hyde Park Ward and event organizer, reflected on her experience: “It feels good to be in a situation where cultures are mixing... To be able to come together as two communities, merging and help fill that need is a wonderful thing.”
Rev. Bobby Lewis emphasized serving others as strengthening ties within communities: “It is this type of work that [helps us] understand who we are with God and who we are with one another... [This] allows us to move with joy [and] a certain confidence that we’re in the right place at the right time, doing God’s work for God’s people.” He also thanked The Church for its support.
Elder Steven D. Shumway from The Church stated: “I love your title, PUSH: People United to Serve Humanity... It’s as simple as loving God and loving our brothers and sisters.” Elder Shumway added he valued making new connections during his return visit after previously serving in Chicago.
Rev. Lewis concluded by expressing hope these projects would promote unity amid division: “We’re standing strong together... And we’re going to come out better people.” Elder Shumway responded: “We’re going to keep this effort moving forward because it's God's effort...” Rev. Lewis replied: "We’re just going to willingly walk in what God has for us to do."
