High Desert Second Chance will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary by receiving a special and historic food delivery this summer.
The Hesperia-based nonprofit, High Desert Second Chance, has been selected as one of only 250 organizations nationwide to receive an “America 250” commemorative truckload of food.
The food delivery and ribbon cutting ceremony at High Desert Second Chance is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14, in Hesperia, and will come via Just Serve, a free service from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
Visiting all 50 states
In mid-June, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints completed truckloads of food to food banks in all 50 U.S. states as part of its effort to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary, church officials stated.
The milestone was reached with a food delivery to Hilo, Hawaii, on June 13 and was highlighted at events in Hawaii and Boston, as well as volunteer efforts in Alaska.
The donation effort was further recognized in Boston on Wednesday, June 17, when a semitruck carrying more than 37,000 pounds of food from the church made a delivery to the Catholic Services Boston Yawkey Center, the church said.
“Reaching all 50 states is an extraordinary milestone for America Gives and a powerful reminder that service connects us across geography, backgrounds and beliefs,” said Rosie Rios, Chair of America250 and former U.S. Treasurer. “From Alaska and Hawaii to Boston and beyond, Americans are showing that one of the best ways to celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday is by serving their neighbors and strengthening their communities.”
Deliveries continue
By year’s end, a total of 250 truckloads of food will have been distributed nationwide, representing millions of meals, church officials stated.
Elder Allen D. Haynie, President of the Church’s United States Northeast Area, said these food deliveries are a reminder that “people in our own backyards are hungry.”
Much of the food is provided through the church’s global welfare system, which includes farms, processing facilities and storehouses that produce and distribute staple goods, the church said.
High Desert Second Chance
High Desert Second Chance conducts multiple events throughout the year in collaboration with many local nonprofits, community service providers, businesses and ministries.
Some programs hosted by the nonprofit include holiday and back-to-school events for children. Also, an Emergency Food Pantry, Open Market Food Distribution, USDA Food Distribution Senior Services, and Student Summer Lunch Market.
High Desert Second Chance is located at 16666 Smoke Tree Street, Building B4 in Hesperia.
For more information, visit facebook.com/HighDesertSecondChanceOrganization, or highdesertsecondchance.pagecloud.com.
Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: High Desert Second Chance chosen for ‘America 250’ donation in Hesperia
Reporting by Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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By Rene Ray De La Cruz, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
