GROVEPORT, Ohio — Reynoldsburg resident Thomas Hartwell is one of 14 volunteers working 30 to 40 hour weeks at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ food pantry in Groveport.

  • The goal is to provide two weeks’ worth of food and household times to those in need
  • The LDS Church has more than 60,000 members across Ohio and more than 16-million worldwide
  • The church is well prepared, with plenty of homegrown and purchased supplies

Between the store and warehouse, the goal is to provide two weeks’ worth of food and household times to those in need. 

Hartwell, who manages the pantry with his wife, says the demand continues to increase, but the Church is well prepared with plenty of homegrown and purchased supplies.

“They set it up a lot in the 30s, during the Great Depression, and they've been just carrying it forward over time. They have operations to prepare these things,” said Thomas Hartwell, volunteer.

Hartwell was among the dozen volunteers stacking this truck with non-perishable foods and personal hygiene items.

LDS has also partnered with several local agencies not affiliated with the church to make sure no one goes hungry.

“They were able to provide us with 5,000 pounds of food, and honestly, it’s been perfect timing, given the circumstances,” said Christa Hester, volunteer coordinator, Worthington Resource Pantry.

The LDS church has more than 60,000 members across the state of Ohio and more than 16-million worldwide.

Agent Stake President Gary Madden says not having in-person gatherings on Sunday is different, but now, he says, there is more emphasis placed on worshipping from home and studying the Book of Mormon. 

“So important is for us not to lose that opportunity not to worship, and we feel like we have that and we're together in that worship, because we're focused on the very same things,” said Gary Madden, Agent Stake president.

For Hartwell, he says he'll continue his humanitarian mission for however long its needed.

And for now, he says the best cure is the power of prayer. 

“Stay close to the Lord and it will work out.”