"Charities struggle to stock pantries"

"Demand is so great, some food banks turn people away." So reported the December 5-11 issue of the Pittsburgh Business Times. Continuing, the article reported, "The number of people seeking food handouts in western Pennsylvania is up sharply in recent months." Stake and district presidents can respond to such needs by requesting humanitarian food orders of up to $1,000 from the bishops' storehouse. Priesthood and Relief Society leaders will want to be alert to needs for food in their communities that the Church can help to meet. The Lord has blessed the Church abundantly, making it possible for us to share with those who are not as fortunate.

The Arbor - December 2008

The December issue of The Arbor includes two stirring testimonies of the power of the Savior's Atonement to bring those who repent into the light of a new life. In both cases the Addiction Recovery Program played a significant role.

Menu-driven Bishop's Orders

Following is a "best practice" recommendation from Elder and Sister Reed, our area welfare specialists, who have now toured and inspected bishops' storehouses throughout the East Coast of the U.S. Following Elder and Sister Reed's recommendation will help those who receive assistance from the bishops' storehouse to become more self-reliant, which is one of the important goals of the Lord's welfare program.

"We know that Bishops and Relief Society Presidents are busy and that orders are frequently given less attention than they deserve. These are sacred funds, after all. The most elegant solution is the menu-driven Bishop’s Commodity Order. We have never seen a menu driven order that was unreasonable. Relief Society Presidents should see that patrons are taught how to do a menu and ask for a menu for every food order. Bishops should require a menu be attached to every order they sign."

Val Merrell's Food Storage Docs

Valerie Merrell of the Pittsburgh Seventh Ward, Pittsburgh PA Stake, has lots of good advice on getting started with home storage, along with tips and recipes for longer-term storage. Check out her documents: BEANS, GETTING STARTED, LONGER-TERM FOOD STORAGE RECIPES, LONGER-TERM FOOD STORAGE TIPS, and WATER.

Using the Home Storage Center

Elder and Sister Kesweder, the new managers of the Home Storage Center in Brecksville, Ohio, offer the following advice on how to work with the Center to meet your long-term home storage goals:

1. Download and complete the order form.

2. After you get your order together, e-mail the Center and request a date to come to the Center. (It could be 2-4 weeks to get all the items you want)

3. We are trying to have sufficient stock on hand to handle most orders sooner. You can check with us to see if we have what you need.

4. The cannery is open by appointment only. Call: Elder and Sister Kesweder at 330-724-4674 or send e-mail.

5. We can set up an appointment for ward, family or individual canning. Most canning has been done on Saturdays in the past, but we are willing to open the Center weekdays, mornings and evenings if that will work better for you. Just let us know when you would like to come.

6. You need to bring enough workers to get your canning done. 5 – 6 workers per 100 cans is a good number workers to bring to help you can your order.

Disaster Response Domains

When agencies in Pittsburgh mobilized to respond to the disaster of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans they organized their response around 15 domains:

• behavioral health
• child care
• communications
• durable goods
• employment
• food
• housing and utilities
• insurance
• legal services
• leisure activities
• medical services
• schooling
• spiritual and bereavement services
• transportation
• translation services

These would be helpful dimensions to consider both in emergency preparation and response.

The Arbor - November 2008

November 1, 2008

Dear Priesthood and Relief Society Leaders:

The Church has implemented an Addiction Recovery Program (ARP) sponsored by LDS Family Services. ARP is designed to help those who might be struggling with an addiction, or associated with someone who does. ARP adapts the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous into a framework of the doctrines, principles and beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The Detroit office of LDS Family Services has led the implementation of this wonderful program within Michigan and western Pennsylvania. Over the last three years, it has commissioned over 30 ARP support groups. These groups are helping people change their lives and overcome their addictions through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

One feature of this great program is The Arbor, a newsletter that provides a forum for people to share stories of their recovery. It also includes other news and information.

Please take a few moments and read the touching stories in the November issue. Please also share this with your ward or branch councils, and others in your unit who might benefit from hearing more about this wonderful program.

May the Lord continue to bless you in your service.

Annette Lillrose
ARP Program Coordinator
LDS Family Services – Michigan Agency