Bishop's storehouse facts for kids
A bishop's storehouse is a special place run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's like a community pantry or a helping center. Local church leaders, called bishops, use these places to give food and other important items to people who need help.
These storehouses usually have basic foods and things for the home. But the idea of a "bishop's storehouse" also means all the good things church members can share. This includes their time, skills, and even money, all used to help others.
As of 2010, there were 138 bishop's storehouses helping people around the world.
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How Bishop's Storehouses Started
The idea for bishop's storehouses came from something Joseph Smith, the founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, learned in 1831. He was told to keep goods in a "storehouse" to help those who were poor and in need.
The very first bishop's storehouse was set up in a store. This store belonged to a man named Bishop Newel K. Whitney in Kirtland, Ohio.
How Bishop's Storehouses Work
Most of the items in a bishop's storehouse are bought with special donations. These donations are called fast offering funds. Sometimes, food is also grown on farms owned by the church.
Volunteers or church service missionaries help run these storehouses. They give their time to help others.
If someone needs help, they can talk to a bishop or a local Relief Society president. The bishop decides what kind of help the person will receive. They often work with the Relief Society president to figure this out.
Usually, people who receive help are asked to do some work or service in return. This could be helping at the storehouse or doing other helpful tasks. Bishop's storehouses are not like regular stores. They do not sell items to the public.
Helping People: Buildings and Resources
There are many buildings around the world that serve as bishop's storehouses. These are physical places where goods are stored.
However, in some areas, there might not be a special building. In these places, a bishop can still help. They can buy food and other things using church funds. Then, they deliver these items directly to the person who needs them. This is also done if someone needs special food that the storehouse might not have.
The bishop can also use the "storehouse" of talents and time from church members. This means members can share their skills and abilities to help others in need.
Images for kids
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Granary building at the LDS Church's Welfare Square in Salt Lake City, Utah. Welfare Square began in 1938 as a bishop's storehouse.
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Replica pioneer home and Bishop's Storehouse to the left. Stirling Agricultural Village, Alberta.
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The Newel K. Whitney Store in Kirtland, Ohio.
