This summer will present a huge challenge to the Superstition Community Food Bank, a non-profit organization that for the past 40 years has provided food and other necessities to struggling families trying to make ends meet.
Sadly, one in four children, one in five adults and one in seven seniors in our area are food insecure.
Due to the pandemic this is the second year the Annual Postal Service Food Drive has been canceled. We have historically relied on that food drive for 39,000 pounds of food to help feed the hungry during the summer months.
When school is out during the summer we know that families struggle to keep food on the table. Families also face increased expenses for child care throughout the summer and the cost of utilities rises along with temperatures. However, donations of food and funds often trend down in the summer months while needs increase.
How can you help the food bank meet the increased need?
Donate funds: Because of the strength of community relationships, the food bank can stretch the gift of a single dollar to provide five meals worth of food for a neighbor. Go to superstitionfoodbank.org/donate.
Involve your friends: Want to mobilize your neighborhood, church group or family? Hosting a food drive is a great way to help. Go to superstitionfoodbank.org/donate/host.
Donate food: We are always in need of the types of shelf-stable items that you pick up for your own family. For example, peanut butter, canned tuna fish and chicken, soup, pasta, and canned fruits and veggies. Go to superstitionfoodbank.org/food-drive-3.
Donate time: The food bank greatly relies on our volunteers, especially in times of crisis. If you are a healthy adult or over the age of 16 and want to volunteer, you can sign up at superstitionfoodbank.org/volunteer.
We can help ease food insecurity by working together to assist our neighbors in need.
Editor’s note: Myra D. Garcia is executive director of the Superstition Community Food Bank, 575 N. Idaho Road Suite No. 701 in Apache Junction.
