Church Makes Donations to Alleviate COVID Suffering in Guam

August 30, 2020 – The U.S. Territory of Guam has been hit hard by multiple typhoons over the years, but perhaps none of those typhoons have been as economically devastating as the current economic turmoil caused by COVID-19. Indeed, between the pandemic-related shutdowns and the complete cessation of tourism, unemployment in Guam is at an all-time high. Recently, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has partnered with several local organizations to provide relief to those impacted by the pandemic.

Beginning in May, missionaries from the Micronesia Guam Mission and LDS Humanitarian Services donated a large amount of food to the Catholic Agana Archdiocese Ministry to the Homeless. The number of homeless individuals in Guam has increased greatly, straining the resources of the Ministry. Doris Royal, who oversees the Ministry to the Homeless, expressed great appreciation for the donation, noting that it would go a long way toward alleviating suffering and hunger among the homeless. Because of the pandemic and government policies related to social distancing, the Ministry had ceased providing warm meals, and the food provided by the Micronesia Guam Mission as well as from other sources, were provided to the homeless on a takeaway basis. As the conditions on the island improved, the Ministry to the Homeless decided to go back to offering warm meals at their site, although this may be delayed by the current situation with the pandemic. In preparation for the changeover, Doris Royal asked if missionaries would come once again, this time to help organize their cafeteria. On July 24, President Eric Hicks and seven missionaries from the Micronesia Guam Mission helped the Ministry reorganize the cafeteria back from a supply room to a serving area. The Ministry to the Homeless is playing a vital role in alleviating suffering, and the Church is glad it can play a role.

  Also in May, missionaries from the Micronesia Guam Mission began partnering with The Salvation Army Guam Corps. The Salvation Army has long played a vital role in helping those who are in need. With the arrival of the pandemic, their resources were stretched thin. The Micronesia Guam missionaries made several donations of food to the ministry, again supported by LDS Humanitarian Services. Trinie Lizama from the Salvation Army said they were extremely grateful to receive such a generous donation, noting that it would help those in need in Guam. In addition, The Salvation Army noted that they were especially short-staffed to match the increased volume of donations they were receiving with the increased needs, and asked the Church for help. Starting in May, Micronesia Guam missionaries began volunteering weekly at The Salvation Army to organize the donations. The missionaries said they greatly enjoyed working with their Salvation Army partners, and were glad that they were personally able to give back to the community during this time of need.

LDS Humanitarian Services has made two donations to a local organization called Kadu Care-Givers. The owners of Kadu Restaurants, Pika and Lenny Fejeran, immediately saw a need when the pandemic began, and started Kadu Care-Givers as a way of donating to those impacted by COVID-19. Pika Fejeran said many families were having difficulties putting food on the table after being laid off or having their hours reduced. Thus far, Kadu Care-Givers has provided over 7,000 meals to the needy. Kådu is a local soup and is to the Chamoru people on Guam what Ramen is to the Japanese, and Kadu Care-Givers has played a critical role in alleviating suffering caused by the pandemic. Pika Fejeran accepted the donation from Elder Bill Davis on behalf of Kadu Care-Givers. Pika said she and Lenny were "so humbled that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had joined with the Kadu Care-Givers mission." She was so pleased with the donation and said they would use it to make the island a better place. “Working together like this,” she said, “will help the community come together.”

The Church has been fortunate to be able to partner with such valiant organizations as the Catholic Archdiocese, the Salvation Army and Kadu Care-Givers, and is happy it has been able to play a role in alleviating suffering in Guam.

Christ emphasized serving the poor throughout the New Testament. Matthew wrote, “Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: For I was un hungred, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in; Naked, and ye clothed me; I was sick, and ye visited me; I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” (Matthew 25: 34-40)