In Need of Help, Please

Not-LDS-but-a-friend · #1 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 04:03 PM

Hello,

As my screen name says, I'm not a LDS, but I hope I can be considered a new friend.

My family is facing hard times financially, and I would like to buy food in bulk. I read a frugal forum that suggested calling the LDSs. I'm in the Lexington, KY area and I've been trying to phone the local LDS church and the Bluegrass Ward Bishops offices for nearly a week, but the phone is never answered.

I'd really like to order beans, rice, flour, etc. in 25 pound bags and can them up in the #10cans with the oxygen absobers. I've gotten as far as finding an incredible order form "All is Safely Gathered In", but I can't locate anyone for inquiries. I'd like to place a $200+ order and, hopefully, have it delivered to the local LDS church.

I'm in need of help, please. Would one of you be kind enough to point me in the right direction or offer further advice?

Thank you all so much,
Jean

Misshalfway · #2 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 04:20 PM

Go to the church's website. LDS.org. You can purchase some basics online. Not much but it is a start. Try to call the number on a Sunday. It is a lay ministry and most people work thru-out the week. Also, you local missionaries might be able to direct you to a local church storehouse. The best person to contact is the local Relief Society President. Again, the missionaries can direct you. Or call the Mission Office in your area. They can also help. I don't know about deliveries. You may have to take care of that yourself.

You could also drive by an LDS church on a Sunday and go in. There are lots of people there that you could grab and ask a quick question to. They, I am sure, wouldn't mind directing you.

But the church is not the only place. Try searching online for preparedness sites.

Not-LDS-but-a-friend · #3 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 04:27 PM

[quote=Misshalfway;165956] The best person to contact is the local Relief Society President. Again, the missionaries can direct you. Or call the Mission Office in your area. They can also help. I don't know about deliveries. You may have to take care of that yourself.QUOTE]

Thank you, Misshalfway. Is the Mission office the same as the Bishop Wards?

How would one go about finding a Relief Society President?

Sincerely,
Jean

WillowTheWhisp · #4 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 04:35 PM

Would the local Ward in the USA be able to help a non-member like this? I guess it's different here because we don't have the storehouses and stuff like we used to.

I know over here you can't get anything delivered to a chapel because there is usually no-one there when deliveries would be made. All deliveries of supplies of manuals etc go to a members own home. (usually the Bishop)

Misshalfway · #5 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 04:42 PM

[quote=Not-LDS-but-a-friend;165958]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Misshalfway

The best person to contact is the local Relief Society President. Again, the missionaries can direct you. Or call the Mission Office in your area. They can also help. I don't know about deliveries. You may have to take care of that yourself.QUOTE]

Thank you, Misshalfway. Is the Mission office the same as the Bishop Wards?

How would one go about finding a Relief Society President?

Sincerely,
Jean

No. The mission office is NOT the Bishops wards. They are very different. The Bishops lead individual congregations or "wards" as we call them. They have offices inside of each LDS church house. Every ward has a bishop and a Relief Society President that works with the congregation. She is the leader of all the women and has lots of resources for food storage, preparedness, etc. Call on Sunday. They will be there! Somebody will be there.

The Mission is lead by the Mission President. He is the supervisor of all the missionaries that are assigned to that particular area. The Mission office has secretaries and a lot of week day traffic. You can probably find the number in the Yellow pages or on a google search. Any local missionary number you find is a good place to start. They could also give you the mission number. They have offices away from any church. Usually in a residence or city office space. They deal with those not of our faith and are used to answering questions.

Hope that helps.

Not-LDS-but-a-friend · #6 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 07:13 PM

I'll keep calling and hope someone will eventually answer the phone. It never would have occured to me to call on a Sunday because I wouldn't have thought anyone would want to be bothered with a stranger not of the same denomination. I should've thought that through just a bit more. Duh! I suspect the LDSs are just as well aware of the story of the Good Samaritan as I. Silly of me, really. I suspect that's just my pride getting in the way, now that I think about it.

Jean

Rebky · #7 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Not-LDS-but-a-friend

I'll keep calling and hope someone will eventually answer the phone. It never would have occured to me to call on a Sunday because I wouldn't have thought anyone would want to be bothered with a stranger not of the same denomination. I should've thought that through just a bit more. Duh! I suspect the LDSs are just as well aware of the story of the Good Samaritan as I. Silly of me, really. I suspect that's just my pride getting in the way, now that I think about it.

Jean

Hey Jean, just show up at the LDS Church building on Sunday in your hometown. You'll get all the attention you never wanted, invited to class, introduced to the missionaries... and I guarantee you will find the Bishop AND the Relief Society President. I am confident they will be more than willing to point you in the direction you need to go to accomplish preparing yourself and your family. We totally support the world doing that!!!! I hope you missed the twisters these past couple days. MAN!

Gwen · #8 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 07:47 PM

if it is indeed a ward and not a branch (much smaller) then there may also be someone there on wednesday nights for youth activities. could try then as well.

at lds.org there is a meetinghouse locator (see if this works, has your area) Search Results i would suggest calling after the 1st hour, if the sacrament meeting is at 9am call about 10:30, the bishop, rs pres, missionaries, or even the foodstorage specialist should be able to help you. i think they would be thrilled to help in anyway they could. not asking for a hand out just some info and how to, i know we'd welcome you with open arms around here.

john doe · #9 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 08:15 PM

Um, the LDS Church is not in the business of selling food in bulk. They do have Bishop's Storehouses which are used for providing for those in the church who are in need. They also have facilities where members can volunteer their time and at the end of a shift they are allowed to purchase product, usually product made in the facility, at a low price.

If you wish to buy food in bulk, I suggest you hit your local Costco or Sam's Club. Many grocery stores will also periodically have 'case lot' sales where you can find good deals on products sold in bulk.

Not-LDS-but-a-friend · #10 (**permalink**) 02-06-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rebky

Hey Jean, just show up at the LDS Church building on Sunday in your hometown. You'll get all the attention you never wanted, invited to class, introduced to the missionaries... and I guarantee you will find the Bishop AND the Relief Society President. I am confident they will be more than willing to point you in the direction you need to go to accomplish preparing yourself and your family. We totally support the world doing that!!!! I hope you missed the twisters these past couple days. MAN!

Hi Rebky,

Love your screen name...does that mean Rebecca from KY?

Yeah, we sorta missed the twisters, but the sirens went off around 1:30 am, meaning one or more had been sighted. Lots of wind damage. Scared my mom, and our pets, poor things.

I sure do appreciate all the helpful replies. You all are "right friendly" as we say here in the south.

Sincerely,
Jean