BLACKFOOT — Local youths from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently came together to gather food for the Blackfoot Community Pantry.

Katie Harris, a spokesperson for the church, said the youths wanted to do a church activity involving service.

“They had everyone bring a boxed item like cereal or mac and cheese,” Hanson said. “When they gathered everything together, they made this huge domino chain.”

Christy Capson, director of the Blackfoot Community Pantry, said the youths were able to bring about 1,100 pounds of food to the food pantry.

“It was all kinds of box meals,” Capson said. “Anything that comes in a box and the kids went all out. It was fabulous.”

Capson said the food pantry has received many recent donations and she is grateful for all of them, especially during this time of economic uncertainty.

“With this time of year and the government shutdown, things are challenging for food banks,” Capson said. “The timing (of the donation from the church youths) couldn’t have been better. We’ve had so many nice donations.”

Capson expressed gratitude for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and all the other religious groups and other organizations that have made sure the food pantry has enough food on its shelves.

“We’re so grateful to have the type of community that we have,” Capson said. “When all the different faiths interact and donate, it’s really humbling. It’s a wonderful community. We’re blessed to have the people that we do.”

If you would like to make a food donation to those in need, the Blackfoot Community Pantry is located at 245 W. Sexton St. in Blackfoot and accepts donations from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every Wednesday.