With this grant to Phoenix Rescue Mission, we continue that tradition of contributing to sustainable community change knowing that only a coalition of changemakers will move the needle and our organization is and will continue to be at the forefront of that movement.”

Junior League President, Wendy Brooks

The Junior League of Phoenix is celebrating 85 years of service to the community with an $85,000 grant to Phoenix Rescue Mission, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing solutions to end hunger, homelessness, addiction and trauma.

The grant will allow Phoenix Rescue Mission to expand its current food bank program with a mobile food pantry and portable kitchen units to reach hungry families in need, aligning with JLP’s focus of “Building a Healthy Arizona.”

The JLP and Phoenix Rescue Mission have committed to expanding these services due to an increasing food insecurity epidemic in the Valley --- leaving one in six Maricopa County families unsure of where or how they will receive their next meal. Since Phoenix Rescue Mission began developing these services with the acquisition of Hope for Hunger food bank in 2017, it has grown from serving 75 families per day to 180, according to a press release.

The mobile food pantry with two portable kitchen units will allow Phoenix Rescue Mission to better serve and feed families living in food deserts without access to grocery stores and healthy food. The mobile food pantry will visit neighborhood parks, schools, community centers, libraries and other public venues to deliver nutritionally dense foods and the kitchen units will offer nutrition and cooking classes to provide much-needed nutrition education to those in need.

Additionally, the mobile unit will give Phoenix Rescue Mission volunteers and team members the opportunity to speak with community members about the organization’s other vital services, which includes shelter services, transitional housing, addiction recovery programs, workforce and vocational development training and wellness checks.

On Feb. 9 from 9 to 11 a.m., Junior League of Phoenix will have their 85th anniversary celebration at Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Mission Possible Cafe, 1516 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix, to dedicate the new mobile food pantry truck as well as showcase the past successes and the future goals of JLP to continue making a positive impact in the Greater Phoenix Area.

“The Junior League of Phoenix has been instrumental in changing the fabric of our community since we initially incorporated as the Welfare League of Phoenix in 1930. From helping war efforts to advocating and funding efforts to preserve Camelback Mountain, renovating Rosson House and Orpheum Theatre to bringing Komen Race for the Cure to Phoenix, establishing the Ronald McDonald House, assisting with building the Phoenix Zoo Education Center, Arizona Science Center, Ryan House and Children’s Museum of Phoenix; the Junior League has made a positive difference in our community,” said Junior League President, Wendy Brooks, in a prepared statement.

“With this grant to Phoenix Rescue Mission, we continue that tradition of contributing to sustainable community change knowing that only a coalition of changemakers will move the needle and our organization is and will continue to be at the forefront of that movement.”