Green Valley and Sahuarita residents responded generously leaving boxes and bags of non-perishable food items at their mailboxes on Saturday to help in the annual Stamp Out Hunger food drive.

This year’s goal was 30,000 pounds of non-perishables and $30,000 in cash or checks.  As of Friday, May 30, we have collected $32,625 and 30,014 pounds of food.

“We are grateful to the entire community, our volunteers and of course the Green Valley letter carriers and the Sahuarita Rural Carriers for making this year’s food drive a huge success,” Branch Manager, Mary Jane Goodrick said, adding that since they are seeing a 60 percent increase of families in need over last year the results of this food drive will make a difference in helping meet local needs.

In another recent campaign where The Feinstein Foundation challenged food banks nationwide to raise funds and food donations between March 1 and April 30 the Community Food Bank received $68,048.29 in cash and checks and $126,968 in food items for a total of $195,016.29.  This was through the generosity of 1,491 donors. 

The value of food items is based on $1.00 per item per pound. 

The Community Food Bank has participated in the Feinstein Foundation challenge annually since 2001. Goodrick called the results very worthwhile and said, “The community embraces the challenge annually.”

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.