The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona will join the Association of Arizona Food Banks in promoting the “Ending Hunger One Plate at a Time” campaign.  Hunger Relief license plates can be ordered directly from www.ServiceArizona.com or by visiting any MVD or Authorized Third Party office.

Annually, the Hunger Relief license plate costs $25 plus postage and handling.  Of the $25, $17 benefits food banks throughout Arizona.  Note: Specialty license plate fees are not pro-rated, therefore your new Hunger Relief license plate will renew on your next scheduled vehicle registration renewal date.  You may personalize your Hunger Relief license plate.  The cost of the personalized Hunger Relief license plate is $50, plus postage and handling.  Get your Hunger Relief license plate today by visiting www.ServiceArizona.com or order your plate at any MVD or Authorized Third Party office.

Established in 1984, the Association of Arizona Food Banks (AAFB) is a private, non-profit organization serving five regional food bank members and a network of nearly 1,700 food pantries and agencies.

The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona has been awarded the coveted 4-Star Rating for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency for the fourth consecutive year by Charity Navigator. 

Only 7% of the 5,500 charities rated by Charity Navigator have received at least four consecutive 4-Star evaluations, indicating that the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona outperforms most other charities in America and demonstrates to the public it is worthy of their trust.

The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona includes its main location in Tucson, Arizona, the Ajo Community Food Bank in Ajo, Arizona, the Amado Community Food Bank in Amado, Arizona, the Green Valley-Sahuarita Community Food Bank in Green Valley, Arizona, the Marana Community Food Bank in Marana, Arizona and the Nogales Community Food Bank in Marana, Arizona.

“The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona is proud to be recognized in the top 7% of outstanding nonprofit organizations in the United States,” said Bill Carnegie, President/CE0.  “We work very hard to maintain the highest possible standards and provide the very best service to our community.”

Charity Navigator, an independent national charity evaluator, works to advance a more efficient and responsible philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of over 5,500 of America’s largest charities.  Full details of the 4-Star Awards are available online at www.charitynavigator.org.

For more information, contact Dan Walters at (520) 882-3278.

Marana, Arizona:  The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona’s Marana Heritage Farm will host a “Honey Mesquite Festival” on Saturday, September 24^th from 10:00 AM to 2:00PM.  The Marana Farm is located at 127375 N. Heritage Park Drive in Marana, Arizona.

Activities for the “Honey Mesquite Festival” include live entertainment, food vendors, a petting zoo, bee hive demonstrations, mesquite milling, seed planting and farm tours.  Additionally, there will be a Native foods salsa making and solar oven cook-off (please register with Cie’na Schlaefli at 449-3154) and a variety of activities for the children.  A feature of the event will be a ribbon cutting for the new composting program located at the Marana Farm to take place at 12 Noon.

Attendees are asked to bring donations of peanut butter and honey for the Marana Community Food Bank.

The Marana Heritage Farm is a partnership between the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, the Town of Marana Parks and Recreation Department and many community members.

For more information contact Cie’na Schlaefli at (520) 449-3154.

These special t-shirts commemorate the 35th anniversary of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. The artwork on the back of the t-shirt was created by the local artist, Cindy Guare. The front of the t-shirt has our anniversary logo in our food bank green. The t-shirt is made of 100% white cotton that you will enjoy wearing while supporting the food bank.

Shipping for the T-Shirts is $5

This season, the 2011 Arizona Football Commemorative Coin from Vantage West will be used to raise much needed funds for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.  Robert D. Ramirez, President and CEO of Vantage West announced the program that will begin with the first football game on September 3^rd and continue through the entire season.  Ramirez explained that anyone who makes a donation of $10 or more to the Food Bank, using a Vantage West debit or credit card, will receive a limited edition Arizona Football Commemorative Coin, courtesy of Vantage West.  Donations should be made online  and the coins can be picked up at any Vantage West branch.

William Carnegie, President and CEO of the Community Food Bank, said that the support of Vantage West at this particular moment of the year is especially important.  “The Food Bank assists more than 215,000 people every month,” Carnegie said, “and the need is greatest during the Fall and holiday seasons. We are delighted that Vantage West has made us the recipient of their very popular annual campaign.”

Mike Stoops, head coach of Arizona football, is once again the spokesperson for the Commemorative Coin campaign.  He appears on television, radio, newspaper, outdoor billboards and posters urging Southern Arizonans to “Make a donation. Get a coin.”  More information about the Vantage West campaign to support the Community Food Bank is available online at www.Vwestcu.org   or click here to donate.

The Marana Community Food Bank will celebrate its expansion with an open house on Thursday, September 8, 2011 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM.  The Food Bank has leased approximately 1,200 square feet adjacent to the warehouse at 11734 W. Grier Road.  The new area will expand the client lobby and administrative space.

“We are thrilled to have the additional space,” said Linda Hampton, Food Bank Executive Director.  “We will be able to provide a more comfortable waiting area for our clients and plan to rearrange the warehouse to store and distribute food more efficiently.”

The Marana branch of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona has experienced a 40 per cent increase in number of clients this past year. There are 1,800 families currently receiving benefits from the Food Bank each month. “It is not uncommon to receive five to ten new applications in one day,” Hampton said.  “Most are people who never thought they would have to ask for help.”

The Food Bank would like to thank the Marana Correctional Treatment Facility for giving the new space a fresh look by painting the exterior, interior and updating the landscaping.

Refreshments from the Cattleman’s Café will be served and hosted by Marana Community Food Bank board member Maeve Johnson. Guests are asked to park in the old Marana Health Center parking lot in the rear of the Food Bank.

For more information, call Linda Hampton at (520) 682-3001

August 28-October 15, 2011

Drop Off Location and Hours of Operation:
August 28 through October 15, 2011:
Weight Watchers at Mission Plaza, 4631 East Speedway, NW corner of Speedway & Swan
Fridays between 9 am and 5 pm
Saturdays between 7 am and 11 am

Who:  Everyone welcome!

What:  Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona Marana Farmers’ Market at the new Marana Health Center

When:  Tuesdays, starting September 6, 2011.  3:00 to 6:00 PM

Where:  The new Marana Health Center

               13395 N. Marana Main Street. Marana, AZ 85653

Admission:  Free and open to the public

The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona and Marana Health Center are partnering to open a new Marana Farmers’ Market!  The new market will be open Tuesdays from 3-6 PM, starting on September 6^th, at the new Marana Health Center (13395 N. Marana Main Street).  The weekly market will feature fresh, local fruits and vegetables, eggs, honey and garden seedlings.

The Community Food Bank has operated the Marana Farm Stand on Mondays at the Marana Heritage Farm since 2008, but increased demand for local produce has led CFB staff to consider more central locations in Marana.  The last day of the Marana Farm Stand at the Marana Heritage Farm will be on Monday, August 29^th, 3-6 PM.

Local summer produce selections at the Marana Farmers’ Market will include melons, apples, pears, pomegranates, squash, cucumbers, tomatoes, basil, peppers, eggplant, okra, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes and more!

The Marana Farmers’ Market accepts credit and debit cards, SNAP (food stamps), cash, Women, Infants and Children (WIC) Cash Value Vouchers for fruits and vegetables, and AZ Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program coupons for WIC and senior Food Plus participants.

For more information, contact Sara Rickard at (520) 882-3313.

September 5-29

Tucson Fast Park & Relax
6970 S Tucson Blvd
Tucson, AZ 85756

Travelers drop off your healthy non-perishable food items to help feed our hungry Tucson neighbors at the off-site airport parking facility, Fast Park & Relax. Fast Park is matching $1 for every pound you donate!

The Community Food Bank, Inc. has announced that applications for the Punch Woods Endowment Grants will be accepted until October 1, 2011.

The purpose of the Punch Woods Endowment is to improve Community Food Security (CFS), which is defined as the state in which persons obtain a nutritionally adequate, culturally acceptable diet through local non-emergency sources. CFS programs build strong, sustainable, local food systems that ensure access to affordable, nutritious and culturally appropriate food to all people at all times. This includes physical and economic access to sufficient food to meet their dietary needs for a productive and healthy life.

Funding will be restricted to Arizona with preference given to Southern Arizona and 501 (c) (3) organizations. Applications may be obtained at www.communityfoodbank.com/punch-woods or by calling (520) 882-3301.

Applications are due October 1, 2011. Applicants will be notified of the action of the committee by November 1, 2011.  Submit an original and four copies of the completed application to:

Community Food Bank, Inc

Punch Woods Endowment Review Committee

P.O. Box 26727

Tucson, AZ 85726-6727

Questions concerning the Punch Woods Endowment Grants may be directed to Meghan Heddings at (520) 882-3301.