Sam Ognibene, a leader locally within the Church of Latter-day Saints who was instrumental in obtaining the more than 40,000 pounds of food donations from the national headquarters of the Church of Latter-day Saints, is pictured. P-J photo by Chrisotpher Blakeslee

What better way to celebrate a 40th anniversary is there than 40,000 pounds of food?

For the St. Susan Center in Jamestown, there is no better way.

On Tuesday, the center received a large donation of food from Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The church’s leadership is headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and approved a donation of more than 40,000 pounds worth of dry, canned goods that was delivered Tuesday to the St. Susan Center, 31 Water St.

“Forty thousand pounds is amazing,” said Cherie Rowland, the St. Susan Center’s executive director. “This food goes way beyond St. Susan’s, this will go on to the broader Western New York region. We are going to share this with other food pantries.”

Sam Ognibene, Stake Clerk of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Jamestown, New York Stake, became the conduit for obtaining the donation from the church’s national organization, and he spoke about the history leading up to the donation.

“For the past couple of years, I’ve helped Keith Martin with his holiday food drive – Stuff the Truck – plus Cherie is a Falconer graduate, as I am, and we’ve got to stick together,” he said. “The only requirement (from Salt Lake City) was we had to have a loading dock, forklifts and be able to unload the truck. I’m thrilled to be a part of this, and 40 years and 40,000 pounds of food – that’s pretty remarkable.”

Also, attending Tuesday’s event, was a representative from Feed More Western New York, who offered thanks on behalf of his organization for this donation and is one of the beneficiaries for the donation.

“The number of people facing food insecurities continues to grow,” said Collin Bishop, chief communications officer for Feed More Western New York. “There is no ZIP code in western New York where hunger doesn’t exist. This donation is going to go a long way.”

Comments were also presented by a representative from Congressman Nick Langworthy’s office and County Executive PJ Wendel.

Wendel echoed the Bishop’s thoughts.

“Hunger and food insecurities know no boundaries, no zip code, and no political party affiliation. We all need to make sure we’re working together,” Wendel said.

St. Susan Center is on target to pass out more than 60,000 meals this year. Last year the center reported serving more than 50,000 meals.