Mormons aid Salvation Army in McKeesport

By JEFF STITT

jstitt@yourmvi.com

In an attempt to build community ties, a local congregation of Mormons last month donated $2,000 worth of nonperishable foods and necessities to the Salvation Army McKeesport Corps.

Jeff Miracle, president and first counselor of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for the Pittsburgh region, said the donation, which also included boxes of personal hygiene supplies, was given by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Pleasant Hills in an attempt to build relationships in the region and with local communities, churches and organizations.

He said the church’s leaders reached out to Mayor Michael Cherepko for a recommendation of which organization in the city could use a helping hand.

The mayor immediately responded with the Salvation Army’s emergency food pantry.

Miracle said the church also made donations this year to a church in the South Hills as well as the  Washington County Food Bank.

Maj. Malinda Jones and her husband, Maj. James Jones, leaders of the McKeesport unit of the Salvation Army, said some of the food is being distributed to area residents via food boxes from the emergency food pantry and some of it is being used to serve hot meals to those experiencing homelessness or a difficult financial situation.

The personal hygiene supplies are also being distributed to those who are experiencing homelessness and seek assistance from the Salvation Army.

“Our purpose is just to kind of get out into the community, and we wanted to build a relationship with you and the Salvation Army,” Miracle said to Mayor Michael Cherepko and Major Melinda Jones. “We have a lot of young women and young men who are looking for service to do. I know things are a little complicated right now, but we’d love to come pack hygiene packs or hand out food when you need some help.”

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