Partnership with Church of Latter Day Saints | December 17, 2023

December 2023 - January 2024

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many churches responded to the urgent need for food and basic necessities in their communities. Since then, however, food insecurity has only increased. This is especially true among New York City’s growing migrant population.

Saint Peter’s Church, a Sanctuary parish of the ELCA located in Midtown Manhattan, has continued its food distribution ministry begun during COVID-19 in this critical time. The congregation established a Mutual Aid Fund, which receives monetary donations from the community, itself, as well as outside partners. In turn, these funds purchase hundreds of pounds of food and necessities that are delivered weekly at a site in Jackson Heights, Queens. More than a dozen volunteers sort and distribute to several hundred families.

On Tuesday, December 18, thanks to the sponsorship of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as part of their 2023 Light the World Campaign, turkeys — a centerpiece of many Christmas tables — were added to the distribution. Their donation was amplified by a partnership with FreshDirect, which helped turn an initial request of 200 turkeys to a truckload of over 400. Some estimated 3,000 people, many of them children, benefitted from the partnership. Extra volunteers, especially from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, were on hand to help!

Saint Peter’s effort is led by Miguel Hernandez, a member of Saint Peter’s, and Pastor Fabián Arias, a 2020 Carnegie Corporation Immigrant of the Year honoree. “Everyday there is so much to do, people to care for, to protect,” Pastor Arias said. “Our effort can only succeed when we come together in times of need—always, together.”

Food and basic necessities are only the beginning as migrants experience uncertainty and complexity in navigating U.S. immigration policies and in daily life. Saint Peter’s seeks to meet these needs, sustained as well through community and government partnerships. A weekly legal clinic, accompaniment program, advocacy efforts, and work in detention centers are key parts of Saint Peter’s efforts.

One of Saint Peter’s key partners is the Metropolitan New York Synod, the regional expression of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Pastor Arias leads the Synod’s advocacy efforts. This year the Synod augmented Saint Peter’s winter coat drive by providing baby strollers for families with newborns. Synod Bishop, The Rev. Paul Egensteiner, and two of his staff also volunteered at the distribution on December 18.

“Saint Peter’s makes a substantial impact in the lives of children and families every day. In partnership with the Synod and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints as well as the invaluable help of Fresh Direct, we made an even greater impact, especially at Christmas,” The Rev. Jared R. Stahler, Senior Pastor of Saint Peter’s, said.

Saint Peter’s partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints continued throughout the Christmas season. Their involvement was key to the gifting of quality toys and family-oriented games to children for Saint Peter’s annual Fiesta de los Tres Reyes Magos, held Sunday, January 7, 2024. More than a dozen members of the church wrapped these gifts and helped prepare food and festivities.

Elder David Buckner from North East Area Seventy, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints, joined Pastor Arias and Pastor Stahler – and the Three Magi – in a day-long program intended, in his words, “to spread light: the hope and promise and joy that the world so desperately needs.”