The Selma Area Food Bank serves as a major food provider to nearly 40 agencies in four counties and relies largely on volunteers.

When no one showed up to help pack bags of canned goods, juices and other non-perishable items Tuesday, a team of missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints stepped in to help.

Missionaries Elder Tyler Allan, Elder James Larsen, Elder Chance Bearnson and Elder Tanner Prestwich of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, who have collectively been serving in and around Selma for roughly six months, packed 249 bags of food at the Selma Area Food Bank this week.

Larson said he and his fellow missionaries enjoyed helping out because it’s not only for a good cause, but it’s what Christ would do.

“We’re here as representatives of Jesus Christ and this is what he would do,” Larson said.

Allen said he’s been volunteering at the food bank once a month for the past three months, and he encouraged others in the community to spend a few hours volunteering as well.

“When I do community service I know that it’s blessing people’s lives,” he said. “I know that when we help people, we’re really helping our father in Heaven.”

Those interested in making a donation to the Selma Area Food Bank, whether it be non-perishable food items or money, can bring donations to 497 Oak St. or mail to P.O. Box 2513, Selma, Ala., 36702. The Selma Area Food Bank is open Monday through Thursday, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.