After Tragedy, Grand Blanc Gets an Emotional Thank-You From LDS Church
Grand Blanc has been through a heartbreaking season, and yet the strength of this community continues to shine. This week, that generosity came full circle as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints delivered a remarkable gift to FISH of Grand Blanc: 40,000 pounds of canned and nonperishable food. For a community still healing after the recent tragic shooting and fire at the church's Grand Blanc meetinghouse, this wasn’t just a delivery. It was a heartfelt 'thank you.'
A Powerful Thank-You After Tragedy
Bishop Jeffrey Schaub, who was present the day of the attack, shared how much the outpouring of support meant to them: the hugs, the messages, the simple reminder that nobody walks through tragedy alone.
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He said this donation is their way of giving back some of the strength the community gave them when they needed it most. Many of the items on that truck were even produced by church members themselves.
A Truck That “Went On Forever”
When the truck pulled up to FISH on Wednesday, the sight was overwhelming. FISH chairperson Barb Smith said:
It was phenomenal. That truck just went on forever. Food just kept coming out.
And the need is high. After the recent changes to food stamp benefits, FISH suddenly saw 100 new people needing help in just one month.
America250 Begins in Grand Blanc
Grand Blanc is the very first of 250 communities that will receive food deliveries as part of the Church’s America250 initiative, a nationwide effort traveling to all 50 states ahead of the country’s 250th anniversary next year. As Smith put it, this is what neighbors have always done for each other, and it’s what we still do today.
How You Can Help Locally
If you’d like to support families right here at home, donations for the Grand Blanc relief fund are being accepted through the Community Foundation of Greater Flint, in partnership with the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation. And if you want to help FISH directly, whether by volunteering or donating, you can find all the information on their Facebook page.
In a moment when so many people are struggling, this is one more reminder that compassion is still the heartbeat of Grand Blanc.
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