Food bank asks community to help build food supply
A typical cart of groceries for a family of four. Weight is approximately 125 – 150 pounds of food./submitted
[NEWS RELEASE] On May 11th, following the US Postal Service Food Drive, the Apache Junction Food Bank witnessed a flood of goodwill from the community with the collection of 39,006 pounds of non-perishable food. Now, due to high summer demand, that food supply has dwindled to 1,925 pounds.
Myra Garcia, Executive Director of the food bank, says “It’s critical that we continue to receive donations. Families at risk are most vulnerable during the summer months when many school meal programs are not available. Their budgets are stretched to the breaking point this time of year. They need our help more than ever.”
“Donations of food are always welcome, but with our buying power, financial donations are even more powerful. With a gift of just $75, we can feed a family of four for a week. There are three secure ways to give: online, in person, or via the mail. We even accept donations by phone at 480-983-2995.”
If you, your company, or any organization you represent would like to join the fight against hunger in East Valley communities, AJFB is easy to find at ajfoodbank.org. In addition to financial donations, people are asked to consider organizing a neighborhood food drive, donating water for the hydration station, or serving as a volunteer. As Ms. Garcia puts it, “Investing in the food bank has a positive and lasting impact on our entire community.”
AJ Food Bank to participate in 12 News “Summer of a Million Meals”
[NEWS RELEASE] The Apache Junction Food Bank (AJFB) will be joining up with United Food Bank and 12 News as part of a televised interview on Arizona Midday July 25th and August 28th. 12 News is the host of the “Summer of a Million Meals” program, an effort to raise awareness of childhood hunger in our region.
A million meals sounds like a lot, but when 85,000 children in our East Valley communities are not sure where they are going to get their next meal, it makes you stop and think. Nearly 60% of food bank clients are classified as the “working poor,” and 1 in 4 children in our community goes to bed hungry every night.
The AJFB invites you to watch the 12 News feature and consider helping families at risk of hunger by making a donation. Your donation is a “give where you live” contribution – 89 cents of every $1 will go directly to the purchase of food to feed local working poor families, seniors, veterans and the homeless. There are three secure ways to give: online, in person, or mail, 575 N. Idaho Rd., Suite 701, Apache Junction, AZ 85119-4015. If you wish to donate by telephone, please call 480-983-2995.
