The Community Values Committee (CVC) recently toured The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welfare building located at 641 S. Main St. in Snowflake.
The LDS welfare program began in 1936 when the United States was experiencing the Great Depression. The main facility is located at Welfare Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, and provides assistance to poor and needy individuals and families.
Snowflake Stake President Dan Mills led the tour and explained that if there is a natural disaster, the Salt Lake City facility has food and clothing that will go directly to the disaster. Because there are people already in the area, in a matter of hours plane loads or semi trucks of food are on their way to the disaster.
Mills explained that most of the labor is provided through volunteer service.
The Bishop’s Storehouse provides for those in need of help in Navajo and Apache counties. The bishop of the ward approves an order that volunteers fill at the storehouse.
Commodities are taken to the Winslow/Holbrook area one week, and the next week they go to the Concho, Eagar and St. Johns area.
The facility has a warehouse, freezer and large refrigerated cases for the perishable items. Mills noted that they keep a three-month supply of non-perishable items on hand. Most are purchased locally.
The Home Storage Center was at one time a wet-pack cannery and then a dry-pack facility where anyone could come and can dry commodities. Currently it is managed by the Show Low Stake, and non-perishable items may be purchased. You do not have to be a member of the LDS church to purchase items.
The Employment Center is managed by David Wheeler of Management Employment Resources, who coordinates employment opportunities for six stakes of the LDS church. Those resources are available to anyone in the area. Employers send requests and potential employees can fill out applications for employment. Wheeler said that there are currently 30 jobs to be filled.
The Distribution Center sells LDS clothing and temple clothing.
The facility also houses LDS Family Services, which “helps church leaders care for individual’s social and emotional challenges by providing resources that are in harmony with gospel principles,” according to a handout.
Regional Manager Chris Frazier explained that counseling services are provided for individuals on a short-term basis. Counseling is available for single expectant parents, adoption consultation and referrals, and addiction and recovery programs, which help individuals overcome addictions to pornography, alcohol, drugs and other behaviors. This includes family support groups and addiction recovery meetings. You do not need to be a member of the LDS church to attend any of the support groups.
CVC is a volunteer group of community and religious leaders in Snowflake and Taylor who meet to discuss the needs and values of the community.
In 1996, Flake Willis organized the first CVC that promoted working together with ecclesiastical leaders, town leaders, school, fire and police personnel to build a more secure community.
Our Lady of the Snow Catholic Church will host the next CVC meeting.
