By Linda Williams | Posted - May 10, 2013 at 11:17 a.m.

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SALT LAKE CITY — One of the nation's leading non-profit hunger-relief organizations, Feeding America, recognized The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this week for recently donating more than 1 million pounds of food.

Feeding America said in a news release that the church's donations will provide the equivalent of 625,000 meals for the needy.

The church is considered a "supporting partner" and is the only faith-based donor to have achieved that status with the organization.

"The commitment from our supporting partners helps make Feeding America's work possible and provides hungry Americans with food, hope and dignity every day," said Feeding America president and CEO, Bob Aiken.

The church donated canned goods including fruits, vegetables and legumes. They will be distributed to needy families at community pantries, soup kitchens and shelters across the country beginning this month.

Distribution Number of clients served by a network food bank

Level of poverty of its clients

Food bank's need for a particular food product on the list of donated items Feeding America will distribute the food based on three factors:

About 250,000 pounds of that food will help feed Utahans because the Utah Food Bank is a member of the Feeding America network.

"This donation from the LDS Church could not have come at a better time," said Utah Food Bank CEO, Karen Sendelback. "The food will help fill a large need over the summer for our fellow-Utahans who struggle to put food on the table each day. We are so very grateful."

Feed America said while the church has a history of donating to individual Feeding America food banks, within the last few years it has increased its national donations, "significantly affecting hunger relief in communities across the country."

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