Church leaders met with Peruvian government officials recently to donate 30 stoves, 60 large soup kettles and numerous kitchen utensils to the Community Kitchens Program in Peru's capital city of Lima.

In addition to the equipment, 80,000 pounds of clothing were donated, to be given to the needy at Christmas.Bishop Glenn L. Pace, second counselor in the Presiding Bishopric, was in Peru on Nov. 9 to assist with the contribution, made at the office of the Andean Development Foundation. Local regional representative Philippe J. Kradolfer and Pres. Carlos Alfredo Quintana Cuba of the Lima Peru Central Stake also were present.

The humanitarian relief effort was conducted under the direction of the South America North Area presidency.

Receiving the donation on behalf of the government were Dr. Victor Paredes, president of the Peruvian Congress, and Dr. Luz Salgado, president of the Peruvian Direct Help Program. Both gratefully accepted the Church's donation, designed to set up an additional 30 community kitchens throughout the greater Lima area and deliver clothing to those in need.

Bishop Pace explained to the Peru leaders the principles of tithing and fast offerings, helping them understand that the supplies and clothing were a gift from Church members worldwide, through their generous contributions.

President Cuba made the formal presentation, helping strengthen the ties between local Church and government leaders.

The three Church leaders went with local relief agency officials as they distributed some of the goods throughout the area, witnessing firsthand the implementation of equipment and training of local people in how to use the items. Bishop Pace was invited to travel to one of the newly established community kitchens outside Lima and help cook lunch for the people there.

"We explained that the clothing would soon arrive," he said. "The appreciation expressed by the government and the people was unbelievable. They couldn't say enough. We attended a large press conference where the local government and charitable organization discussed the project as an example of how private and public organizations can work together to benefit those in need."

He added that in addition to the donation of kitchen items, additional resources are being made available to Church members in Peru through priesthood leaders, under the direction of the area presidency.

In 1989, inflation in Peru surpassed 3,000 percent. The cost of living is 450 times what it was in 1977, resulting in a 70 percent increase in the number of people living in poverty since that time. Many of the 175,000 Church members in the country have been adversely affected by the economic crisis, noted Bishop Pace. A good share of the 10 million people in the Lima area are deprived of employment, food and medicine.