Thanks to the Gleaners

Kudos to those people who participated the the Food Bank's Super Duper Citrus Saturday. They gleaned their own trees and brought over 15,000 pounds of citrus to our three location this past Saturday. This bring the toal collected for the two Saturdays to almost 80,000 pounds.

Good Carma From St. Mary's Propels Jeff Gordon to Victory

After his racecar made a personal appearance at St. Mary's Food Bank on Feb. 24, Jeff Gordon broke a streak of 66 straight losses when he won the NASCAR Subway Fresh-Fit Race at PIR on Sunday. [Thanks also go to the AARP Foundation, one of Gordon's sponsors, for donating $10,000 to St. Mary's - enough to provide 70,000 meals to those in need.]

Help the Food Bank . . . and Ruin a Roof Rat's Day

Following up on the success of the Food Bank's "Super Citrus Saturday" last month (61,000lbs. collected), "Super Duper Citrus Saturday" will be held this Saturday from 9a-2p at the same three locations: Shepherd of the Hills Church in Arcadia, North Phoenix Baptist Church at Central Ave. & Bethany Home Rd., and Surprise (13050 W. Elm Ave.). So glean your trees and bring the fruit to us.

What If 2010

What If . . . You could be Inspired, Enthused, and Entertained
Well you can . . . by clicking on the video below, and you'll see what makes St. Mary's Food Bank click.

Starbucks Volunteers in a Big Weigh
A group of 50 Starbucks employees brought their infectious enthusiasm to the Food Bank today. In addition to packing food boxes, they also joined The Biggest Loser's Pound for Pound Challenge. You too can take up the Challenge by visiting www.pfpchallenge.com, clicking on the "Pledge" link and following the prompts. Just remember to use the 85009 zip code and put in foodbank1 as your password. For each pound pledged, St. Mary's will receive $.11.

Experience Hunger First Hand
On March 5, Coconino Community College in Flagstaff will be holding a Hunger Banquet. This unique event lets people experience what almost 70% of the world eats - a small bowl of rice and beans - as their only meal of the day. Come prepared for an enjoyable and thought-provoking evening. For more information, visit http://flagstaffrotary.org/.

Get Behind the "Drive to End Hunger"
NASCAR is coming to Phoenix this week, and Jeff Gordon, NASCAR, and the AARP Foundation are combining to create the Drive to End Hunger. NASCAR fans (and everyone else) are being encouraged to bring a can of food and visit St. Mary's 31st Ave. location on Feb. 24 to see Jeff Gordon's No.24 race car. It'll be on display from 9am-Noon. So come on down and join the Drive.

Washington to Require Healthier School Lunches

In an effort to reverse the rapid increase in obesity among children, the government is requiring school districts in Arizona, and across the country, to make substantial changes in the school lunches they offer to their students. The new regulations, which could be implemented as early as the coming school year, require a reduction in salt content, and an increase in whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

Many school districts in the state, already hard pressed financially, expressed concern about the new regulations. One official noted that the new meals are projected to cost an additional $.14/lunch, with Washington expected to cover less than half of that. The official also noted that while the lunches will be healthier, "the kids won't like it."

Your Loss is our Gain
"The Biggest Loser" is again holding the Pound for Pound Challenge. For every pound you pledge to lose, the show's sponsors will donate 11cents to a local food bank. So go to www.pfpchallenge.com, click on "Pledge Now', then follow the prompts. Use zip code 85009 (St. Mary's zip) and the password foodbank1. Last year, St. Mary's realized over $10,000 from the Challenge. [And remember, no one will visit you to see if you lost the weight.]

Yes they CAN

Canstruction is coming to the Valley. Beginning on March 5th and through the 11th, the public can view the ingenious creations of 12 teams, built entirely out of cans. Everything will be on display at CityScape in downtown Phoenix. Stop by and vote for the "People's Choice" Award. Afterwards, all the cans will be donated to St. Mary's Food Bank.