Economy puts Strain on Food Bank's Resources

Those of us who work at St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance are well aware of the effect the current economic stiuation has had on demand for our services: our demand is up 56% in 2009 v. 2008, and up about 100% over 2007. For Thanksgiving we provided over 55,000 people with food. But we also know that this situation is being repeated across the country, as people struggle with job losses and rising expenses. The article located at http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_CHALLENGED_CHARITIES?SITE=AZSUN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT highlights the challenges faced by both the charities and the people they serve.

Working Together to Deliver Christmas Cheer

For the twelfth consecutive year, local non-profits, volunteers, and the US Marine Corps are coming together to deliver food and toys to the Havasupai Village located in the Grand Canyon. Toys 4 Tots of Northern Arizona will supply the toys, and for the seventh year St. Mary’s Food Bank is supplying the food – more than 125 food boxes and turkeys. Also included in this year’s delivery is a 10-foot tall noble fir tree.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, December 15 and 16, a trio of Marine Corps helicopters will descend to the floor of the Canyon to deliver the goods. According to Eric Wolverton, manager of St. Mary’s Flagstaff facility, “It’s an amazing opportunity. The Marines and the kids are smiling all the time, and it works out well with us because we’re able to assist the families.”

On the 16th, a helicopter will bring Santa Claus to the Canyon floor and a meal will be served to the entire community.

Cardinal Fans Step up to aid St. Mary's

Kudos to fans of the Arizona Cardinals for their donating $9,643 and 2,447 pounds of food before the Cardinals-Seahawks game on Nov.15. Their donation provided the equivalent of 69,948 meals, and they got to cheer on the home team to a 31-20 victory!

Economic Conditions Lead to Increased use of Food Stamps

Now one in eight Americans, and one in four children, use food stamps. Current usage is estimated at more than 36 million and growing at a rate of 20,000/day. In 239 counties in the US, over 25% of the population uses food stamps. Go to
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2009/11/28/us/20091128-foodstamps.html to see an interactive map showing the breakdown by county of food stamp usage as well as the growth in use from 2007 to 2009. (Maricopa County had a 69% growth in usage from 2007-09.)

Food Pantries, Food Banks see Increased use by Seniors

Food pantries and food banks nationwide are seeing a significant increase in visits by senior citizens hit hard by the recession. Many of the elderly who formerly were donors and/or volunteers for these organizations find that they are now, reluctantly for many, using them as a lifeline as rising food prices and depleted savings are hitting them hard. USDA statistics show that 4.7 million American households used food pantries in 2008, up from 3.7 million two years earlier. Those statistics also show 408,000 seniors living alone used food pantries in 2008, an increase of 81% from 2006.

Give Yourself the Gift of Education for the Holidays

This December St. Mary's Food Bank is offering you the opportunity to learn about the issues of hunger, poverty and nutrition at one of its Hunger 101 sessions. These free one-hour seminars are held in the Volunteer Center at its 2831 N. 31st Ave. Phoenix location. Offerings this month include: Faces of Hunger on Dec. 8 at 11am; Fast Foods: Making Healthy Choices on Dec. 10 at 9am; and Advocacy & Action on Dec. 15 at 11am. For more info, or to make a reservation, contact Raymond Combe at rlcombe@firstfoodbank.org or 602 343-3164.

Attend the "Fiesta" and aid St. Mary's

For 23 years the APS Fiesta of Lights Parade has brightened the Holiday season. This years edition takes place in Central Phoenix on Dec. 5. St. Mary's will be part of the festivities; one of our trucks, festooned with lights, will participate. At two points along the route - Central & Camelback and 7th St. & Camelback - food and monetary donations will be collected. So, come out, watch the parade, and help the Food Bank.