Thursday, July 28, 2011

‎2011 Hill Of Beans Food Drive Kick Off Monday Aug 1st…

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance is proud to announce that 18 Valley accounting firms and financial institutions have taken the challenge and joined in the 2011 Hill of Beans Food Drive! This is the largest contingent of firms to take part in our drive years and we are very excited to see which companies will vie for the coveted title of “Chief Bean Counter.”
Below is a list of firms who are taking part in Hill of Beans:
Abalos & Associates, Accounting Options, BDO Seidman, Clifton Gunderson, Cohen, Wrife & Jutzi, Edie Bailly LLP, Government Liquidation, Heinfeld Meech & Co., Henry & Horne, KPMG, Miller, Allen & Co., Monica Stern, Protivity, Ryan Companies, Sarvis, King & Coleman, Sigirst, Cheek & Potter, Tull, Forsberg & Olson and Walker & Armstrong.
Each will be collecting food and funds all during the month of August, in case you would like to help them build their drive with a donation. Good luck to all the teams and we’ll keep you posted on their activities and the progress of the drive during the month.
THERE'S STIIL TIME for more CPAs, accountants or financial planning organizations to join the Hill Of beans food drive, just call Ray Combe at 602-343-3173

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

‎2011 NATIONAL STUDENT FOOD DRIVE Coming Soon

As the 2011-12 school year begins, new and exciting events are being planned by students, teachers and staff alike across the Valley of the Sun – many in the name of fighting hunger side by side with the world’s first food bank.
Last year, a record 32 Arizona high schools took up the challenge of helping feed those in need in our state. When all was said and done, enough food and cash donations were collected to distribute over 145,000 meals into the communities across Arizona.
The 2011 National Student Food Drive will kick off September 27th with the food drive competition ending November 4th. We're seeking high schools to join us. Now’s the time for students & educators to make a difference by responding to this critically important need.
It is time to walk the talk as schools across the Valley commit and compete in the 2011 National Student Food Drive.
For additional details or to join the NSFD, contact St. Mary’s Food Drive Manager Chet Provorse at (602) 343-3169 or by email at cdprovorse@firstfoodbank.org

Thursday, July 14, 2011

THANKS TROOP 966

St. Mary’s would like to thank the members of Brownie Troop 966 and their parents/chaperones for their visit to the Food Bank on July 13.
In addition to taking part in a Hunger 101 session and touring the Food Bank to learn more about hunger in Arizona, troop members brought food donations that will go directly into emergency food boxes for distribution early next week. The girls were very enthusiastic and interested in finding out more ways to help in their community.
St. Mary’s truly enjoyed having this great young ladies with us and thanks them for their interest and donation to help their neighbors.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

AAA Volunteers Give Back to Community and Help “Send Hunger Packing

They are commonly known for delivering vacation planning or roadside assistance, but after forming a dedicated community service team, AAA Arizona employees are sharing more of their time with the community. Performing more than 275 hours of charitable service since the start of the year, AAA Volunteers has demonstrated it is “there when you need us most.”
AAA’s benevolence touched St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance with a “Virtual Food Drive” to benefit the hungry of Arizona. At the start of June, AAA launched the online food drive, where employees can make monetary donations. For every $1 raised, the food bank can distributed enough food to provide seven meals. The club’s goal was to raise $1,000 for the month, which will provide 7,000 meals to individuals in need.
AAA reached their goal and then some! By the end of the month, $1,652 was raised, allowing the Food Bank to distribute enough food to provide 11,564 meals during the summer months when the demand increases at St. Mary’s while donations tend to decline.
“I am so proud of the humanity and generosity of AAA Volunteers,” said Mike Tully, president and CEO for AAA Arizona. “We have known that our employees were active volunteers before, but through our community service committee, we have been able to multiply our employees’ time and talents to create a collective impact in our community.”
Earlier this year, 25 AAA volunteers visited St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance’s Knight Transportation Client Services Center, gathering and distributing groceries to more than 500 families at the food bank’s distribution center.
“Organizing our ideas and efforts toward community service has been such a successful venture,” said Mark Allan, controller for AAA Arizona and president of the community service committee. “By bringing together a team of representatives throughout the club, we’ve been able to arrange fulfilling opportunities for employees to take part in.”

Friday, July 8, 2011

SARA LEE AND ST. MARY’S FOOD BANK ALLIANCE TEAM UP


 ... TO “ERADICATE HUNGER IN ARIZONA” WITH GALA ON JULY 30
In support of the “Eradicate Hunger in Arizona” program launched this past year by Tolleson employees of the Sara Lee, the group will be hosting an inaugural gala to benefit St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance. The event, which will be held at the Arizona Biltmore Resort, will feature live entertainment, dinner and dancing. Additionally, a silent auction will be held, featuring donations from major local organizations including the Phoenix Suns, the Phoenix Coyotes, the Phoenix Cubs, K1 Speed, Troon Country Club, Tres Rios Golf, Cerreta Candy, and Los Abrigados Resort. One hundred percent of the proceeds from the inaugural gala will go directly to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.
Tickets for the event can be purchased on the St. Mary’s website, http://www.firstfoodbank.org/.
Corporate tables of 10 are available at gold ($2,000), silver ($1,750) and bronze ($1,500) level sponsorships.
WHEN: Saturday, July 30th,5:30p.m. to 6:30p.m. – Cocktail reception and silent auction
7:00p.m. to 12:00 a.m. – Dinner and dancing
WHERE: The Arizona Biltmore Resort, 2400 East Missouri Avenue, Phoenix, AZ85016
Details at: www.firstfoodbank.org

Unfathomable OBESITY Stats

Trust for America’s Health (TFAH) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) have released their annual report on obesity, and there’s no sunshine here.
The report is aptly titled F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2011
Complete story & graphics at: http://www.fooducate.com/blog/2011/07/08/12-unfathomable-obesity-stats-make-you-want-to-cry/

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Labels Do Matter

Hunger 101 will provide summer seminar to discuss when and why Labels Do Matter, food labels that is.

This seminar titled “Label Me Nutritious” discussing why and how to use food labels to ensure nutritional value and is open to partner agencies, donors, volunteers as well as the general the public at NO CHARGE.
Seminar Details: Label Me Nutritious
Date: July 21st (Thursday), Time: 12noon-1PM
Location: St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance Del Webb Distribution Center, 2nd Floor, Multipurpose Room, 2831 N. 31st Ave. Phoenix.
Seating is limited, so register early. To register, contact Ray Combe at rlcombe@firstfoodbank.org or 602-343-3164
DESERT BREEZE Community Church Concert to benefit St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance

For children who are homeless and facing Hunger daily,

 ... a simple sandwich, safe place and caring smiles makes a huge difference in their life as this video of a summer school lunch program highlights.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Convergence Ballet Pairs With St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance

for Season II Fundraiser To Help Feed the Hungry of Arizona
St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance is excited to partner with Convergence Ballet in 2011 as the recipient of their Season II Ballet Performance in August. Artistic Director Jennifer Cafarella and her talented company played to sold-out audiences in 2010 and have decided to make the Food Bank the beneficiary this season.


The partnership kicks off with a live and silent auction fundraiser on Saturday, July 23 from 7-10 p.m. at the Starfire Golf Club (11500 N. Hayden Road). Please join Convergence Ballet for an evening of elegance complete with live music and a presentation by the Food Bank about the need among our neighbors.


Ticket prices are $25 or $30 along with a bag of non-perishable food items to benefit St. Mary’s Food Bank. Silent auction items or gift cards can still be donated to benefit this event. Email Jennifer@convergenceballet.org to make your gift available or for more information on the event.
Convergence Ballet employs local dancers, choreographers, theaters, staff, crew and retailers throughout the summer months.
St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance salutes Convergence Ballet’s commitment to keep the arts and artists strong in Arizona and thanks them on behalf of Arizona’s hungry for their efforts this season.
Convergence web site: http://www.convergenceballet.org/
Remember, Hunger doesn't take a vacation. In fact summer months are some of the most needy of the year for children

For more information about how you can help, visit our web site:http://www.firstfoodbank.org/

If the kids can't come to lunch, why not take the lunch to them ......

Children waited patiently at the bus stop, seeking shelter from the heat under a paloverde tree. A big yellow school bus slowly drove up the county street, stopped at the corner and opened its doors. The students filed into the back of the air-conditioned bus, sat down and then ....


You can read the ending of this story at:
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/local/articles/2011/07/06/20110706litchfield-school-bus-lunches.html

TGI Friday’s “Best Bartender” Search Rises Glasses for Food Bank


With contestants flipping bottles to choreographed music and pouring drinks down a cascade of stemware stacked to the sky, barkeeps at the TGI Friday’s at 59th Avenue and Bell Road (5885 W. Bell) will attempt to raise food and funds for St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance during their annual “Best Bartender” contest on Saturday, July 9.


With bartending “fans” packing the best seats – reserved by a donation to St. Mary’s, bartender contestants will be judged on originality, presentation and drink accuracy while vying for a spot in TGI Friday’s regional competition – where a spot in the worldwide competition would be on the line Thanks to everyone at TGI Friday’s, where “Gratitude is the Attitude.”


All the fun gets going at 9 p.m. on July 9. Call (602) 843-9000 for more information. Bring your rooting voice and a few extra bucks for Arizona’s hungry. Let’s help TGI Friday’s “Ring that Bell!”

It's simple ...

Calling all BEAN COUNTERS!


We are seeking Accountants, CPAs & Financial Planners to participate in the 13th Annual 2011 HILL of BEANS Food Drive that kicks off Aug 1st.
It’s a fun, powerful way to further participate in the fight against Hunger in Arizona while possibly earning the title of 2011 "Chief Bean Counter" and being recognized in the Arizona Business Journal.
For details see the attached flyer.

We hope we can Count On You!
For more details, contact Ray Combe at 602-343-3173 or rlcombe@firsfoodbank.org

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Safeway Kicks off Summer “Help Us End Hunger” Food Drive

to Benefit St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and Partner Agencies
Today, kicks off Safeway’s “Help Us End Hunger” Food Drive to benefit St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and some of its 500-plus partner agencies around the state of Arizona. From now until July 24, all Safeway stores in the state will be a drop site for non-perishable food donations help the Food Bank through the difficult summer month – when donations typically drop off while the demand increases.
Help Safeway in their efforts by making a donation of non-perishable food items to the St. Mary’s food drive boxes. Some of the Food Bank’s “Most Needed Items” include peanut butter, tuna, canned fruits and vegetables, baby and adult diapers, pastas and “complete meal” canned items like chili, soups and meats. Safeway is a consistent supporter in the fight against hunger, donating to St. Mary’s Food Rescue Program and making donations of volunteer time and money in addition to this much-needed drive.
Please help make this drive a successful one. Pick up an extra can or two for your neighbors when shopping at Safeway. One in four Arizona children are living in poverty and need your help for a brighter tomorrow.
Additional food bank info at: http://www.firstfoodbank.org/
Fighting Hunger & Changing Lives
with a little help from our
Little Friends
with BIG HEARTS!
Additional food drive information at: http://www.firstfoodbank.org/fooddrive.html