A church in Utah is commemorating its 200th anniversary by making donations to 200 food pantries throughout New York State.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is sending donations to eight Buffalo churches, as well as Catholic Charities.

The Russell J. Salvatore Food Pantry in Lackawanna is receiving 14 pallets of canned goods and non-perishable items. They will distribute the food across Erie, Cattaraugus, and Allegany counties.

Catholic Charities has stayed open throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, operating nine food pantries. So this donation comes at a critical time.

"Collaboration is the name of the game today, right? I mean, without collaboration, I don't see how anybody can manage and get things done in this world today, so we all need to play in the same sandbox and get along and make these things work for the people who need the help," Catholic Charities Department Parish Outreach and Advocacy director Eileen Nowak said.

Since the start of the pandemic, Catholic Charities has helped nearly 3,000 clients and families, and more than 22,000 bags of food have been distributed.