The Community Food Bank at 3003 S. Country Club Road in Tucson has completed installation of a new “Pushback” pallet system that increases its dry storage capacity.  The new system allows substantially more food storage in the same space as conventional racks and eliminates the need to expand the warehouse or use an outside storage facility.

The new Food Bank warehouse system includes two sections of 4-Deep “Pushback” and one section of 2-Deep “Pushback” units.  In a space where previously 273 pallets could be stored, the new “Pushback” system will store 856 pallets (43 truckloads of additional storage), a 313% increase.

The “Pushback” system was purchased from Advance Storage Products of Huntington Beach, California.

“Recently our warehouse capacity has been maxed out and we have had to rent space from other facilities.  But the increased capacity of the “Pushback” system should take care of our storage needs for years to come,” said Eric Hitzeman, Vice President of Operations.

The Community Food Bank distributed over 29 million pounds of food in fiscal year 2009-2010.

For further information, contact Eric Hitzeman at (520) 622-0525 x 238

Pictured in the photograph from let to right are Christine Wilcox, Albertsons Communications & Public Affairs Director, Craig Baugh, Albertsons Store Director-Tucson, Bill Carnegie, President/CEO Community Food Bank and Kathy Dwyer, Albertsons Store Director-Tucson.

Donation Means Food Bank can Distribute $135,000 Worth of Food

The Community Food Bank received a financial boost last week from Albertsons grocery stores.  For every $1 donated to the Food Bank it can distribute $9 worth of food.  The donation of $15,000 will be used to distribute $135,000 worth of food which will enable the food bank to feed hungry families in Southern Arizona.

“Summer can be a difficult time as many of our donors are away for the season,” said Bill Carnegie, President/CEO.  “Our demand is higher as children are out of school at this time of year and more people are unemployed. “

The Community Food Bank distributed over 29 million pounds of food last year; that’s a 30% increase over the previous year in requests for help,

“Albertsons is deeply committed to supporting the communities in which we do business, especially when it comes to hunger relief,” said Shane Dorcheus, Albertsons LLC Southwest division president. “We recognize we are in a unique position to provide help and support to agencies which provide food services to those in need, and we are happy to do everything we can.”

The Community Food Bank was founded in 1976 and now serves over 225,000 people, monthly in Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Santa Cruz and Pima counties in Southern Arizona.

Albertsons, LLC, prides itself on being a good corporate neighbor, and focuses its corporate giving efforts at the local level on four critical areas: hunger relief, education and development of our youth, health and nutrition, and environmental efforts. The privately owned and operated company has stores in Arizona, Texas, New Mexico, Louisiana, Florida and Colorado and maintains its original headquarters in Boise, Idaho. The company employs more than 20,000 associates.

Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will join the Community Food Bank on Friday, August 20, 2010 at 2:00 PM in a groundbreaking ceremony for a $360,000 Solar Project. The Food Bank is located at 3003 S. Country Club Road, Tucson, AZ 85713.

The funding for the Solar Project comes through the efforts of Congresswoman Giffords in the form of a grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with Economic Development Initiative Funds (EDI).  The project also includes funding from Tucson Electric Power’s Up-Front Incentive Program.

Since the Food Bank’s roof will not hold the additional weight, the solar project will be built on a covered parking structure south of the main building.

The project will be constructed by Technicians for Sustainability, LLC, a Tucson company.  Construction is scheduled to start in early September and be completed in four to five
weeks.  Additional solar panels will be added as funding becomes available.

“We are excited to add solar energy to our water harvesting, recycling, hybrid truck technology and energy efficiency programs at the Community Food Bank,” said Bill Carnegie, President/CEO.  “We are proud to set the example for other businesses in the region.”

Congresswoman Giffords will be joined at the groundbreaking by Bill Carnegie, Community Food Bank President/CEO, Michael Dorer, Community Food Bank Board Chair, Steve Lynn, Vice President Chief Customer Officer Tucson Electric Power, Ramón Valadez, Pima County Board Chairman and Bob Walkup, Mayor of Tucson.

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

Saturday, September 25, 2010
Randolph’s Dell Urich Golf Course
7:00 a.m. Registration – 8:00 a.m. Shotgun Start
Early Bird Fee $100 on or before Sept. 10th or $125 thereafter

Sponsorship Requests
Goodie Bags – Need donated items for the golfer’s goodie bags. We will accept golf, food, or promotional items in any amount from your
company. There will be approximately 144 golfers so all donations are appreciated
Raffle Prizes – Please contact your vendors and customers for door prizes such as golf equipment, get-away weekend and golf packages,
free airline tickets, free dinners, health treatments etc…
Hole-in-One Sponsor – We are also asking for hole-in-one contest sponsor for a free car, or free gas for a year etc. This sponsorship will
also get prominent recognition in our program, banner and various course signages.

Corporate Sponsorship Levels
Tee Box (2) – $150 – This sponsorship includes two(2) tee box signs with your company name or logo placed, one each on front and back
nine, during the tournament and gives you the opportunity to offer collateral marketing materials or giveaways to the golfers participating
in the tourney.
Silver Eagle – $500 – This package includes four golf spots in the tournament, Lunch for 4, and Tee Box signs as mentioned above.
Gold Eagle – $700 – This package includes everything as in the Silver Eagle package plus logo placement on the tournament banner
which is prominently displayed at all SALEO meetings and events including post tournament awards lunch.
Platinum Eagle – $1000 – This package includes everything as in the Gold Eagle package plus an individual banner with company logo
displayed separately from the main banner and special recognition at the tournament and a link for one year on the SALEO website as a
sponsoring partner.

SALEO is a non-profit, 501(c) (3) organization. Your donations are tax-exempt and proceeds
will be used to support Logistics Scholarships, Community Food Bank, and the SALEO.
The deadline for sponsorships is September 17, 2010
SALEO Golf Central P.O. Box 26861, Tucson, AZ 85726
For sponsorship details or to book your foursome, please call: Wendy Porter at (520) 425-332 or e-mail to Wendy@saleo.org
For More Info and to Register>>

Saturday, August 14, 2010
What: Chess tournament for raising money for the Tucson Community Food Bank. 100% of profits from this tournaments go to the charity. Play chess and help raise money for the local charity.

Location: Pima Medical Society Hall, 5199 E. Farness Drive Tucson, AZ 85712. Directions: From Grant Road turn south on to Rosemont, then turn East on Farness Drive.

Description: Swiss tournament in 4 sections: K-3, K-8, Open and Nonrated. Open and Nonrated sections are open to adults. Nonrated section is not USCF rated; other 3 sections are. Proof of USCF membership required for K-3, K-8, and Open Sections. Bring sets and clocks; none provided. Concessions at site. Registration and check in by 8:30 a.m.

K-3 & K-8 Sections: Time Control: G/30 4 Rounds: 9:00, 10:30, 11:45 & 1:00.
Open and Nonrated Sections: Time Control: G/50 3 Rounds: 9:00, 11:00 & 1:00
Entry Fees: $20 if postmarked by 8/11. $25 thereafter or at site. Proof of current USCF membership required to play in K-3, K-8, and Open Sections; if not a USCF member, please join USCF at www.uschess.org prior to mailing the entry form and bring a printout of membership card. USCF Membership not required for playing in Nonrated Section.

Prizes: K-3: Trophies to top five places. K-8: Trophies to top five places.

Open: Trophies to top three places. Nonrated: Trophies to top three places.
Medals for 3 points, if you do not win a trophy.

Information: Vaishnav Aradhyula, 520-299-5666, vaishnav@comcast.net. NS, NC, W. For details see http://chessforcharity.giving.officelive.com.

The Community Food Bank has announced that its Value Market Grocery Store will close on Friday, October 1, 2010.

The Value Market, located at the Community Food Bank, 3003 S. Country Club Road, began operation in 1995 offering low cost groceries to patrons of Food Bank services.

“The economy and our inability to offer competitive pricing in the grocery market lead to the decision,” said Bill Carnegie, President/CEO.

Beginning August 1, 2010, the Value Market will begin reducing prices in order to close out current inventory.

The Value Market is open to the general public and anyone is welcome to shop while supplies last.

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

Tucson Restaurants Rally to Raise Funds and Food Donations for Community Food Bank

WHAT: RA Sushi and La Encantada have partnered to present the second annual “Ultimate Server Challenge,” a friendly competition to raise cash and food donations for Tucson’s own Community Food Bank. Some of Tucson’s most popular restaurants will go for the gold in four events: Tray Race; Corkscrew Challenge; Check Relay Obstacle Course; and Table Set-Up Competition.

A perfect way to end a day of shopping at La Encantada, fans can cheer on their favorite restaurant while rocking out to live music performed by The Unicorns and tunes spun by D.J. Big Brother Beats. With a small donation to enter the spectator “arena,” guests may enjoy complimentary beer and cocktail samples (21 and older) offered by Alliance Beverage and Golden Eagle, as well as food tastings provided by RA Sushi and other participating restaurants.

Competitors include servers from a variety of Tucson restaurants, including Armitage Wine Lounge; Bluefin Seafood Bistro; Contigo; Firebirds Wood Fired Grill; Kingfisher Bar & Grill; Level; NoRTH; RA Sushi; Sullivan’s Steak House; and Tavolino.

COST: Five cans of food or $5 donation to benefit Community Food Bank

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010

2 to 5 p.m.: 2010 Ultimate Server Challenge

The awards ceremony and trophy presentation will be held at RA Sushi following the competition.

WHERE: La Encantada Shopping Center

2905 E. Skyline Drive

Tucson, Ariz. 85718

The Ultimate Server Challenge will take place in the Valet Circle on the east end of the property. The awards ceremony will be held at RA Sushi, also located at La Encantada.

RA Sushi: 520-615-3970

Vicki Sibley, Fry’s Operations Manager from the Tucson District office will present Bill Carnegie, Community Food Bank CEO with a $50,000 check on Friday, August 13, 2010 at 10:00 AM at the Food Bank, 3003 S. Country Club Road.

The $50,000 donation is from Fry’s “Bringing Hope to the Table” annual cause-marketing program partnership.  Since its inception the program has directed $20 million in funds and food to local food banks serving communities across the country.

Locally, Fry’s has been a long time supporter of the Community Food Bank donating plastic grocery bags for The Emergency Food Box Program (TEFAP).  Employees from Fry’s Food Stores volunteer at the Food Bank each month.  Since the inception of The Fry’s Perishable Food Donation Program in 2008, the Community Food Bank has received 747,231 pounds of food and since January 2004, Fry’s Holiday Food Drive has collected 23,144 pounds.  Additionally, Fry’s headquarters has donated 76,462 pounds of marketable products.  In June, 2010, Fry’s also donated almost 11,000 pounds of cereal to the Food Bank TEFAP program.

“Fry’s has been partnering with the Community Food Bank for three decades and this is one of the largest contributions we have received,” said Bill Carnegie, President/CEO.  “We are proud to be associated with a company that so generously demonstrates its sense of responsibility to the community.”

Photo and interview opportunities will be available following the check presentation.

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

When: Saturday, September 25th, 2010, 9 am – 3 pm
Where: The Junior League of Tucson, Inc.
2099 E. River Road (east of Campbell)
What to bring: Yoga mat, blanket, pillow, and a bottle of water

Schedule of Events:
9:00 – 9:30 Welcome
9:30 – 10:30 Awaken, Sat Ardas Kaur
10:30 – 11:00 Free food and shopping
11:00 – 11:20 Laughter Yoga, Pete Weiss
11:30 – 12:30 Balance, Tish Monroe
12:30 – 1:00 Free food and shopping
1:00 – 1:20 Benefits of Yoga and
Meditation, Angie Muniz, MD
1:30 – 3:00 Expansion, Guru Ravi Kaur Khalsa

Cost:
All day pass: $45
+ 1 non-perishable food item
Class drop in: $10
+ 1 non-perishable food item
(All proceeds to benefit the Community Food Bank)

Participate in the Yoga Festival’s Virtual Food Drive

For more info: www.rx-yoga.com, tish@dswfitness.com or call 292.0011 ext 15

Click to view flyer

Posted by the Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy “A Tale of Two Women: Crossing L.A.’s Grocery Divide” features two women–one who lives in a food desert, the other who lives in a neighborhood with full-service supermarkets–as they switch places. The video also highlights LAANE’s (Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy)  effort to pass a citywide policy that will bring supermarkets to underserved communities.