The Marana Community Food Bank has launched the “Community Partner” program.  This program recruits area businesses to become “designated drop off” locations for food donations in the Marana area.

A “Community Partner” can be identified by posters and food drive bins at their business locations. They will join hands with the Marana Community Food Bank to help the community in time of need.  Requests for emergency food boxes are up dramatically and this is the time of the year when donations are at their lowest level.

Community Partner locations are at:
KENPO Karate    
7575 W. Twin Peaks #125   
Tucson, AZ 85743    

The Golf Villas at Oro Valley
10950 N. La Canada Drive
Tucson, AZ 85737

KEVA Juice     
8250 N. Cortaro Rd., Suite 110  
Tucson, AZ 85743    

National Bank of Arizona
11853 W. Marana Road
Marana, AZ 85653

Package Express    
3773 W. Ina Road, Suite 150   
Tucson, AZ  85741    

Gary Nicholl, Agent State Farm Ins.
9110 N. Silverbell, #170
Tucson, AZ 85743-8172

Integrity Automotive   
6621 N. Thornydale Road   
Tucson, AZ 85741-2737   

Oro Valley Ace Hardware
11921 N. 1st Ave.
Tucson, AZ 85737

Saddlebrooke Unity 47 Community Out-Reach Program
(520) 818-0194

More “Community Partner” locations will be added in the future.  Check our Web site for new additions at http://communityfoodbank.com/branch-banks/marana/

For more information, contact Cecilia Munoz, Marana Community Food Bank Manager at (520) 682-3001 or by e-mail at maranafb@communityfoodbank.org

The winner of the Community Food Bank’s “Drive Away Hunger” car raffle will now have a choice of a 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid or $25,000.  The 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid is one-year newer than previously announced, due to availability, and will be ordered at the time of the drawing if the winner chooses that option.

Raffle tickets are $25 each or five for $100 and are available here or by calling (520) 622-0525 x 492.  Entries must be received by Thursday, June 12, 2008 at 4:00 PM.  A maximum of 5500 tickets will be sold.

The drawing for the 2009 Mercury Mariner Hybrid will take place on Friday, June 13, 2008 at 10:00 AM at Jim Click Ford at 22nd and Wilmot in Tucson.

A comprehensive list of raffle rules and eligibility for the “Drive Away Hunger” car raffle are available here.

Net proceeds benefit the Community Food Bank and will be used to help hungry people in Southern Arizona.

For further information, contact Jack Parris at (520) 622-0525 x 215.

The Knights of Columbus 4th Annual Charity Golf Tournament was held on Monday, March 24, 2008 at Desert Hills Golf Club was a huge success.  This year the recipients of the $14,000 raised are the Green Valley Community Food Bank and Casa de Esperanza.

Quail Creek Run benefits the Green Valley Community Food Bank and the Animal League of Green Valley.

The fourth annual Quail Creek Run attracted a record number of participants, bringing in $6, 256 that was to be divided equally between two local charitable entities –the Green Valley Community Food Bank and The Animal League of Green Valley.  304 runners and walkers ages 6 to 77 and 85 dogs took part in this event on Saturday, February 9th .

Green Valley Community Food Bank, Branch Manager, Mary Jane Goodrick, also a Quail Creek resident and a certified fitness instructor, led participants in warm-up exercises.  Goodrick jumped onto the back of the animal shelter’s pick-up truck so the crowd could see her and they joined in the upbeat exercises.

Several weeks after the run, the event committee had the opportunity to raise even more money for both charities and they jumped at the chance.  Quail Creek’s developer, Robson, Inc, had redecorated several facilities within the community and decided to donate the gently used indoor and outdoor furniture, plants, paintings, pottery, etc, that had been replaced by new items.  The Quail Creek Run committee coordinated a silent auction and residents were invited to come and bid on all the items.  The auction was a huge success and they raised an additional $12,000 for both charities! 

On April 14th, Mary Jane was presented with a check from the Quail Creek Run committee for $9,000.

By Ellen Sussman
Green Valley News

The Green Valley Community Food Bank showed appreciation to its corps of 151 volunteers Saturday with a luncheon donated by Carolyn and Win Tandy at Casa de Esperanza.
The Green Valley Aires, a barbershop group of 20 led by Wayne Brumm and Charlie Bauder entertained with happy oldies like “Put Your Arms Around Me Honey,” “If You Knew Susie Like I Knew Susie” and “Yes, We Have No Bananas.” With each vocalist wearing a red and white striped barbershop vest they sang a cappella — without musical accompani-
ment.
Branch manager Mary Jane Goodrick told the audience that in 2007, 151 volunteers worked a total of 11,883 hours, which is equal to 5.7 full-time employees. Volunteering the most hours were Bob Ward with 496 hours, Cheryl Averre with 324 hours and Beverly Smith with 312 hours.
In addition to administrative assistant Toni Lauterio and warehouse supervisor Mike Averre, Goodrick said volunteers
are at the heart of the efficiently run, non-profit operation. “Without you we couldn’t do it,” she told 70 volunteers who
attended the appreciation event.
Involved in a variety of tasks they weigh incoming food donations, unpack and shelve each Working with clients individual volunteers work one-on-one to help clients select the food they need. Now in his third year driving a truck to pick up food from local supermarkets John Hockemeier said, “I hate waste; the Food Bank is a good way to use food for needy people that would otherwise be thrown away. In my mind’s eye I’m doing something; instead of throwing food away we’re turning it around.”
Carol Heller feels the work of the volunteers is very important. “It’s sad that in the United States people have to stand in line for food. I get emotional satisfaction; the people are very appreciative; they always say ‘thank you.’ ”
Trudy Martin summed up the feeling of hunger succinctly and said, “You can’t do anything; you can’t look for a job or do well in school if you’re hungry.”
Sondra Bernard who serves as a liaison between Beth Shalom Temple Center and the Food Bank said, “It’s pretty amazing what they (the volunteers) accomplish. There’s tremendous outreach in this community.”
Volunteers Pat and Dale Young have been volunteering for three years. Pat said the Food Bank will really need food in the summer like to get the food out and onto the shelves and see clients come in and get what they need.”
Of the camaraderie among volunteers, she said, “It’s a good crew to work with. I look forward to coming in; everyone works well together.”
Then there’s Frank Perry, who has been a Food Bank volunteer since the late 1980s and recently volunteered 160 hours in one month. “I’ve never been hungry … no one in the United States should be hungry. I get a great deal of satisfaction giving food to those who need it; it’s very rewarding.”
Serving as coordinator of rescue food—produce, dairy and baked items—that can go bad if not used by a specified date Perry said he and others pick up an average of 1,600 pounds of food a day, six days a week.
In addition to produce, dairy and baked goods local supermarkets also donate pet food, paper towels and toilet tissue.
Goodrick thanked Casa de Esperanza for donating their facility.
Ellen Sussman is a freelance
writer in Green Valley.ellen2414@cox.net.

Dine Out for the Hungry!

Pastiche Modern Eatery will donate five percent of every purchase to the Community Food Bank any time you dine at the restaurant during the month of June—and again in October. For the past eight years, owners Pat and Julie Connors have sponsored “Philanthropy with Phlavor” twice each year. To date they have donated more than $80,000 to various charities, including the food bank.

How it works:
Throughout June, customers who dine in at Pastiche, order take-out food, make a purchase at the Pastiche Wine Shop, or buy Pastiche gift certificates are invited to choose one of 40 nonprofit organizations to receive 5% of their total check (before tax, gratuity, or discounts). Patrons must let their server know they would like their 5% to benefit the Community Food Bank. The program repeats in October.

Pastiche Modern Eatery
3025 N. Campbell

The Pastiche culinary concept is a mélange of cuisine influences, from American to Mediterranean, Asian to Southwestern, and many others in between. Options include appetizers, salads, sandwiches, small plates, pastas, large plates, fresh seafood.

The 2007 Farm Bill passed Congress on Thursday, May 15, 2008 by a veto-proof margin in both the House and the Senate. The bill includes many measures that will help Americans living in poverty.

Read about the Farm Bill on MSNBC

The Community Food Bank has announced the receipt of a $12,500 grant from The Gordon Foundation of Tucson.

The Gordon Foundation has a long history of supporting the Community Food Bank dating back to 1989.  “We feel that your organization is doing for the community what everyone should be doing for the community,” said Gerald Hirsch, The Gordon Foundation President.  “Thank you for your service to all of us.”

The Gordon Foundation was established in 1986 by Charles and Gertrude Gordon after forty years in the shoe business in Tucson.  The Gordon family founded Gordon Shoes in 1946 in downtown Tucson, moved to El Rancho Center and then Park Mall.  The Foundation has donated more than $1.5 million to area non-profits.

The Community Food Bank is experiencing a 27% increase in requests for emergency food boxes over last year and almost a 50% increase over 2006.  The Gordon Foundation grant will go to purchase much needed food for the community. 
 
For further information, contact Pauline Hechler at (520) 622-0525 x 234.

The Community Food Bank, Inc.  announces the sponsorship of the Summer Food Service Program for Children. Meals will be made available free to all children 18 years of age and under within the approved geographical area without regard to sex, race, color, age, handicap or national origin. Any person who believes that he/she has been discriminated against in any USDA related activity should write immediately to the Secretary of Agriculture, Washington, D.C. 20250.

The Program runs from June 2 through July 29, 2008
Listed below are the times and locations meals will be provided:

Sopori Elementary School
5000 W. Arivaca Rd.
Amado, AZ 85645
Breakfast 8:00 AM – 9:00 AM
Lunch 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Arivaca Community Center
16012 W. Universal Ranch Rd.
Arivaca, AZ 85601
Breakfast 9:00 AM – 9:30 AM
Lunch 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM

Sahuarita High School – Main Cafeteria
350 W. Sahuarita Rd.
Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Breakfast 7:00 AM – 8:00 AM
Lunch 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM

Swetlands Park
15550 S. Sahuarita Park Rd.
Sahuarita, AZ 85629
Breakfast 8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Lunch 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Ajo Unified School District
111 Well Rd.
Ajo, AZ 85321
Breakfast 7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Lunch 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

For further information, contact Sandra Vijsma, Child Nutrition Programs Manager at
(520) 622-0525 x 247.

The Nogales Community Food Bank is looking for members for an advisory board to guide the organization in serving the hungry in Santa Cruz County, Arizona.

Those wishing to serve are asked to write a letter of interest outlining their community involvement history and why hunger in Santa Cruz County is important to them.

The Nogales Community Food Bank is an affiliate of the Community Food Bank in Tucson and distributes USDA Commodities, donated food and produce in Santa Cruz County.

Letters of interest may be sent to Arthur Espinoza, Santa Cruz County T.E.F.A.P. Coordinator at P.O. Box 3201, Nogales, AZ  85628 or by e-mail to aespinoza@communityfoodbank.org.

For additional information contact Arthur Espinoza at (520) 982-2554.