Get a Beautiful Ceramic Bowl and Help St. Mary's
On March 24th, Sunrise Mountain HS will hold its 2nd Annual Empty Bowls Charity Dinner. From 6-8:00pm participants will receive dinner, entertainment, and a hand-made ceramic bowl. Admission is $10, and all the proceeds will go to St. Mary's. Sunrise Mountain is located at 21200 N. 83rd Ave. in Peoria. For more info, contact Kim Migliorino at the school, 623 487-5125.

Sweet Orange Scab puts end to St. Mary's Gleaning Project
The USDA has placed a quarantine on all Arizona citrus because of an outbreak of Sweet Orange Scab (SOS). This disease, which effects only the skin, causing scab-like lesions, does not effect the taste of the citrus. As a result of the USDA's action, St. Mary's is terminating its Gleaning Program effective immediately. However, the Food Bank will continue to accept donations of citrus from the public.

This Weekend's Symphony Concerts to Aid St. Mary's

The Phoenix Symphony will be holding a food drive for St. Mary's at this weekend's Pops Concerts. Featuring the music of Simon & Garfunkel, and performed by Jim "Piano Man"Whiten, the concerts take place at 8:00pm on the 18th and 19th, and at 2:00pm on Sunday the 20th. And in a special kids-friendly concert, the Symphony will feature "Rhythms of the Earth" music on the 19th at 2:30pm. So bring a few cans of non-perishable food to Symphony Hall and enjoy the music of Paul & Art!

Phoenix Company Comes through in a BIG Way
Freeport McMoRan, the world's largest publicly-traded copper mining company, recently completed a food drive for St. Mary's. In addition to 600 pounds of food, employees contributed $1,375, matched 2 for 1 by the McMoRan Foundation. As a result, the food drive contributed the equivalent of 29,475 meals!

Hunger Hurts, and its Effects are Devastating and Widespread
Last Sunday, CBS "Sixty Minutes" ran a story on poverty and hunger and the toll it takes on children and families. Although that story takes place in Florida, in reality it could have been filmed anywhere in the country. The children recount the problems, including food insecurity, caused when one or both parents lose their jobs. To view the segment, visit http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7358670n&tag=contentMain;contentAux.

You Won't Believe Your Eyes

Canstruction is now in place at City Scape in downtown Phoenix. See the amazing things that bright minds can build with food. And when you visit, be sure to bring a few cans of food for St. Mary's Food Bank.

They're Amazing . . . and they're made out of Cans

It's Canstruction time once again. Twelve teams will be competing to create amazing creations, all made entirely from food cans. The competition will be held at CityScape in downtown Phoenix, from March 7-12. At the conclusion of the competition, all the cans will be donated to St. Mary's. There will also be a food drive at the event, so come on down and bring a few cans of food.

1 in 4 Kids in AZ goes to bed Hungry; here's how U can Help

The 10th Annual Kids Cafe Open tees off on April 8 at the world famous Wigwam Resort. Enjoy the championship courses and support the Food Bank's program, which provides 2,800 after-school meals to kids throughout the Valley. To become a sponsor, or to sign up your foursome, visit http://www.firstfoodbank.org/ or call 602 343-3148.

Homelessness Growing in Maricopa County

Recent statistics from the Dept. of Economic Security indicate that there are currently as many as 30,000 homeless people in Maricopa County. Current information indicates that, of that figure: 20% are under 18, 30% are families with children, 27% are female victims of domestic abuse, and 12% are veterans.