Today, Mormons work hand-in-hand with other faiths at the Food Bank Coalition of San Luis Obispo County to feed the hungry throughout an area of some 280,000 people.But it has not always been that way.In 1992, Kristina Manning approached the \"Loaves & Fishes\" organization and asked to be a volunteer. But Manning, a new LDS convert, was turned down.__IMAGE1__Two members of her bishopric at the time in the Paso Robles 1st Ward of the San Luis Obispo California Stake paid a visit to Loaves & Fishes and tried to resolve the situation. After being told they were not welcome, Bishop Kent Dimond and first counselor Doug Major decided there was a need to improve the local perception of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Most of the groceries provided to Loaves & Fishes came from the newly created Food Bank Coalition, which was open to volunteer support. After Major was called as bishop of the ward, he appointed an LDS liaison to the food bank. Floyd Butterfield, who was the elder's quorum president, was also a prominent resident of the community and was able to secure a position on the board of directors at the Food Bank.\"It was a win-win situation,\" Major said. The nearest bishop's storehouse was nearly three hours away and the Food Bank played prominently in the fast offering and welfare programs.Over the years, the ward helped the Food Bank to grow by washing and repairing trucks and painting the warehouse. LDS missionaries served there once a week, providing \"muscle power\" that many of the older volunteers could not.In 1999, President Butterfield became Bishop Butterfield and \"he had to return the favor,\" Major said. \"He called me to help on the board. Obviously I couldn't say no.\"Helping the Food Bank is not a church calling, but both men are still involved. They now work in the Young Men's program in the ward.\"We have done a few Eagle (Scout) projects at the Food Bank,\" Major said.Butterfield helped the Food Bank develop a program called \"One Day, One Dollar,\" which was \"based on the fast offering program and the power of everybody giving a little bit (so) you would have plenty of money to help those in need,\" he said.Three years ago, $120,000 was raised to put the Food Bank in a solid financial position. The previous high had been $30,000. More than four million pounds of food were distributed last year.Another fundraising drive was held in May 2009.\"The elders need to be recognized,\" Major said, adding that their service over 16 years totals more than 13,000 hours. \"They have been nominated many times and won the county's Volunteer Group of the Year award. They could give it to them every year if they wanted to.\"As chairman of the search committee in 2006, Major hired Dr. Carl Hansen, a retiring Episcopal minister, as executive director of the Food Bank.Later that year, Hansen accompanied Major to a convention in Salt Lake City where they visited the Utah Food Bank and the church's humanitarian services. They also attended a performance of the Tabernacle Choir, after which Hansen turned to Major and said, \"You must be very proud of your church.\"Hansen was actually on the founding board for Loaves & Fishes, but Major emphasized that he was not involved in turning down Manning's request to serve.As for that person, Major said, \"We are close friends now.\"
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