ASUnited (Arizona State University WeBlog)

If you walked by or drove your car anywhere near the LDS institute on the Eastside of main campus (just West of the Bio-design Institute) today, you probably noticed a massive amount of students and faculty all gathered together outside the building in between the institution and the parking structure. Young ASU students lined the walls and steps, filled the surrounding benches, and packed into the fairly new institute of religion building which has quickly become a very popular hang out/study sanctuary for both members and non-members of the Latter Day Saints religion. You probably also noticed the billowing smoke generated from countless charcoal barbq grills fired up in the area. Hard to believe, but the institute was actually hosting a FREE barbq for all who’s mouth watered as a result of the cooking affair. That’s right, everyone who desired could come and eat lunch for free. After telling members of my physics lab class, which got out just before the barbq started, I got similar responses from everyone, “What’s the catch?” One class member said,”So you’ll have to listen to ‘them’ preach while they serve you food!” As it turns out, the catch is that there is no catch. Well, I guess there is if you consider beef patties and hotdogs charbroiled to perfection with lettuce tomato condiments and a bun, not to mention cookies and chips, a catch. I for one think that’s the best catch I’ve caught all day…heck all week for that matter!

So the question comes to mind, why do they do it? Not only why, but how do they manage to pay for that much food just to give it away like that? As a member of the LDS church all of my life, I can say without reserve that the church has no problem paying for such an event. In fact, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints brings in more than any other non-profit organization in the world. Because it brings in more, it also must give out more. Well, we could get into the financial affairs of the church some other time. Suffice to say money is not really an issue with the church when it comes to caring for and serving the community. So on to the why question? Many may not know but this is not the first time the institute has served lunch to the ASU community. In fact, this is a once a week affair only usually it takes place inside the building. In the center of the building is a large multipurpose gym in which every Tuesday/Thursday (one week will be Tuesday and the next is Thursday…alternating each week), there is a free lunch for all who choose to attend. Usually there is a one dollar donation which the church uses to help pay for the cost of food but in no way is this ever enough to pay for all the food they give out each week.

At any rate, this weeks free food event was a huge success and it seemed like everyone had a good time. The more the merrier so remember the place to be next Wednesday is the LDS Institute building on the Northwest corner of Terrace and Mcallister. Hope to see everyone there!

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