Community Connection: Spotlight on St. Mary’s Food Bank
Posted on October 17, 2020 by Laura Lucky
WHAT THEY DO:
St. Mary’s Food Bank was the brainchild of John van Hengel as a “bank” where individuals and companies could “deposit” excess food for those in need to “withdraw” it. Thus, the world’s first food bank was founded right here in Phoenix.
St. Mary’s distributes food to hundreds of its nonprofit partners throughout Arizona. These agencies include food pantries, dining halls, homeless shelters, and more. They’ve also developed a specific children’s feeding program, named Our Kids Café to help feed the hungry children in our communities.
Further, St. Mary’s offers a program to teach adults to have successful employment in the food service industry. The Community Kitchen is a hands-on training program that has graduated countless individuals to become gainfully employed.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Volunteer
Donate your time as an individual or a group such as a family, youth sports team, corporate team, or faith-based organization.
Host a Food Drive
Help stock the shelves with food donations with a supplied food collection box you can place at your location.
Start a Fund Drive
Every dollar donated provides seven meals! Hosting a fund drive is simple to do with their online support.
Hunger Heroes
Corporate teams can help with donations, hosting a food drive, cause marketing, and volunteering at off-site events.
