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About Caring for Others
The admonition to care for the poor and needy is not new. In 1851 Brigham Young, the second President of the Church, instituted a program for teaching Native Americans to farm. In 1906, the Church shipped flour and wheat to millions suffering from famine in China and to those devastated by earthquake and fire in San Francisco. At the end of World Wars I and II, hundreds of tons of food, clothing, and medicine were sent to the people of war-torn Europe. Today, the Church's efforts to care for those in need occur through both Deseret Industries and Humanitarian Services programs.
Deseret Industries was established in 1938 as a single thrift store. Today, there are 46 stores serving the people in seven Western states: Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington. For the Deseret Industries store nearest you, click the "Locations" link on the toolbar.
In 1985, in response to growing concern over the hunger, illness, and suffering continually afflicting millions of people all over the world, the Church formally organized its humanitarian efforts. Its first project provided emergency relief supplies to thousands of starving people in sub-Saharan Africa.
In 1996, the Church formed Latter-day Saint Charities to help carry forth humanitarian activities in select countries worldwide. Latter-day Saint Charities is a private, 501(c)(3), non-profit charitable agency. Latter-day Saint Charities is a member of InterAction and the American Council for Voluntary International Action, the largest alliance of U.S.-based international development and humanitarian nongovernmental organizations.
Today, the Church has provided humanitarian relief and support to 147 countries worldwide.
Humanitarian Services
50 East North Temple Street, Floor 7
Salt Lake City, UT 84150-6890
Phone: 801-240-1201
E-mail: LDS-Charities@LDSChurch.org
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