United Food Bank is calling for the help of the public to fill its empty shelves.
In the past three months, United Food Bank has distributed a record high of 6 million pounds of food—an average of 2 million pounds per month.
While it looks like these numbers reflect a good sign, getting so much food out the door and into the hands of the people who need it, it actually reflects a serious problem. The need has increased so much in the past year. So, United Food Bank must continue to provide more and more food to meet that rising need.
Recently, donations have dropped off significantly—not even reaching half of the amount of food distributed in the past three months. However, since the need has not decreased in the slightest, United Food Bank is struggling to find more resources to keep up.
“It’s heartbreaking to know that this month, and likely in the summer months to follow, many families will be hurting if we can’t turn this around,” said Bob Evans, president and CEO at United Food Bank. “We need the help of anyone able to give—whether it’s one dollar or a hundred dollars—it means the world to us, and to the families we serve.”
The prime growing season for farmers in Arizona is ending, which means the amount of fresh produce United Food Bank is able to receive and distribute is affected tremendously. Fresh food, such as produce, is nearly a third of what United Food Bank provides. When these resources are gone, they must turn to more nonperishable food items, which are barely trickling in this month.
Ways to Help Today
· Donate over the phone or online at www.unitedfoodbank.org. You also can mail a check to United Food Bank, at 245 South Nina Drive, Mesa, AZ 85210.
· Drop off food donations to United Food Bank, located at 245 South Nina Drive.
Places to Give in the East Valley
· All Gilbert fire stations or municipal buildings will be accepting food donations for United Food Bank.
· People are urged to go to any Walmart in the East Valley to make a donation of food.
· Donate canned goods at any of the four Mesa public libraries. If you have any library fines, each can of food you donate will remove a dollar from the total of your fines.
· Go to www.unitedfoodbank.org to see a complete list of off-site food drive locations accepting food donations for United Food Bank.