Donations to the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona have decreased by about 15 percent this year, forcing the facility to burn through its existing food supply just as the holiday season begins.
The facility located at 3003 S. Country Club Road in Tucson serves more than 1,000 people every day. The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona reports that while the warehouse presently contains roughly three million pounds of food, this total inventory is projected to run out by November’s close.
Natalie Jayroe, the president and CEO of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, said that the warehouse distributes about 40 million pounds of food annually. Both monetary and food contributions from the public have declined compared to the same period last year.
For Tucson resident Ramon Stewart, the food bank serves as a critical lifeline that ensures his mother has access to meals when she cannot afford groceries.
“It’s good for my mother, it’s real helpful for my mother,” Stewart said. “She don’t get to the grocery stores when she don’t have it.”
Ramon Stewart
With Thanksgiving scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 26, officials are urgently requesting donations of non-perishable items, including canned tuna, soups, and stews. To keep shelves stocked, the organization relies heavily on grocery stores and community food drives alongside hundreds, if not thousands, of volunteers needed to pack holiday boxes.
“It's a blessing that you can get food from a place” Tucson resident Ramon Stewart said.
“I know everyone is happy here because some people can’t afford it, so it’s helping a lot of people,” Stewart said.
Ramon Stewart
The food bank accepts donations both in person and online. People can pick up supplies between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Fridays, and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. The facility remains closed on Sunday.
Earlier coverage: Madison Food Pantries Face Rising Demand as Grocery Costs Climb
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