LDS Church Distributes Clothing and More in Farmington Hills Saturday

For the second consecutive year, a variety of community organizations are joining forces again to hand out clothing to the needy in the area.

Farmington/Farmington Hills Neighborhood House, the Farmington Area Goodfellows, the Farmington Hills Senior Division and  have partnered with the Farmington Hills congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to distribute approximately 12,000 pounds of clothing, coats, bedding and footwear free of charge to those in need in the community.

The clothing distribution will be open to the general public on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at , 33900 W. 13 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills.

“We seek to follow the example of Jesus Christ in caring for the poor and the needy,” said Ted Jensen, bishop of the Farmington Hills Ward of the Church. “We know this desire to serve others is shared by many in the community, so we are excited to partner with these organizations to offer some assistance to those in need.”

The event also marks an official Day of Service congregations of the LDS Church are participating in around the world in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Church’s Welfare Program.

The Church’s Welfare Program began in 1936 to help Church members suffering from the devastating effects of the Great Depression in the United States. Today, that welfare program has expanded to all corners of the globe and assists people of all faiths.

The objective of the welfare program is to care for the needy while teaching principles that will help people become self-reliant and retain their self-respect. The program also provides all Latter-day Saints opportunities to serve, thus fulfilling the commandment Jesus Christ gave to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked and visit the sick.

Funding for the welfare program is provided by donations from Church members, who go without two meals one Sunday a month and give the money they would have spent on food to the Church.

Additional details about the Church Welfare Program are available here.

Deseret Industries, a nonprofit vocational rehabilitation facility and thrift store sponsored by the Church, is sending a truck-load of approximately 50,00 pounds of clothing to the metro Detroit area. About 24,000 pounds will be distributed at the Farmington Hills and Roseville LDS chapels, and the bulk will be donated to the local Salvation Army.

In addition to the free clothing, information on strengthening families and employment assistance will also be available. Printed materials will also be on hand.

-- press release

Correction: The clothing distribution end time was incorrect in the original version of this press release. It is 1 p.m.