United Food Bank hosted more than 200 people in its warehouse on May 5, and raised $27,031 at a breakfast event designed to introduce new people to the organization.
The event, presented by Fry’s Food Stores, included a full breakfast, giveaway prizes for guests and a goody bag to all attendees. With the help of sponsors, however, costs to the organization were kept under $500.
United Food Bank officials estimate more than 75 percent of the attendees had never before seen the facility or understood the breadth of what the organization does. “This was a wonderful morning to welcome new friends into our facility, and help them understand what it is we do,” said United Food Bank President and CEO Bob Evans.
Among his remarks, Bob explained to the audience the amount of food United Food Bank provides to Arizonans each year could fill 475 semi-trucks—enough to fill a stretch of land, bumper to bumper, for 10 miles.
The organization chose to host the event in its own facility to enable guests to see what the facility looks like. The facility is not typically open to the public. Director of Paz de Cristo Mike Boos spoke about how United Food Bank is a critical component of their program in serving 250 meals to the needy every night.
Roc Arnett, the event’s honorary chair, wrapped up the morning with personal remarks about what the organization means to him.
Event sponsors included Fry’s Food Stores, APS, Hickman’s Family Farms, Starbucks, Classic Party Rentals and Whole Foods.
Among the attendees were Mesa Mayor Scott Smith, State Senator Rich Crandall, Secretary of State Ken Bennett, Gilbert Councilmember Ben Cooper, Gilbert Councilmember John Stentz, Mesa Councilmember Christopher Glover and SRPMIC Councilmember Tom Largo.
United Food Bank is a private, nonprofit organization providing hunger relief/food assistance by collecting, acquiring, storing and distributing food and related commodities through a network of partner social services agencies in the East Valley, Eastern Maricopa County, Gila and Pinal counties and Southern Apache and Navajo counties. United Food Bank receives the prestigious four-star rating for its efficiency from Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator.
For more information, visit www.unitedfoodbank.org.