US Airways Helps Keep National Student Food Drive Flying High

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance would like to thank US Airways, one of the original sponsors of the National Student Food Drive, for their continued support of this event. US Airways offers one of the top prizes to the winning schools each year and continues to seek new and unique ways to spread the news about the hunger problem in Arizona and the ways each of us can help.

Thank you US Airways. From Send Hunger Packing in the Summer to the National Student Food Drive in the fall to the countless hours of volunteering by the “Do Crew” in our warehouse, you are truly the Food Bank’s special friend in the skies.

THE FIRST FROST IS COMING TO NORTHERN ARIZONA … AND SO IS THE FIRST FROST FOOD DRIVE

Those summer temperatures are finally on the decline and the first frost is just round the corner in Flagstaff. That means rising heat bills and more people in need of help to feed and keep their families war in the winter.
The St. Mary’s Flagstaff Facilities third annual “First Frost” Food drive is set for this Sunday, Oct. 2 in selected Flagstaff neighborhoods. If you received a St. Mary’s door hanger during the past week, more than 200 volunteers will be in your neighborhood to collect non-perishable food donations. Simply leave the donations in a bad near your mailbox and our volunteers will do the rest.

If you didn’t receive a flyer and still wish to be a part of the drive, simply bring your non-perishable food donations to the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance Flagstaff facility (1801 W. Route 66) between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Sunday and volunteers and staff will gladly accept them. Of course if Sunday is a busy day for your family, the Food Bank facility is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. to accept your help for northern Arizona’s Hungry.
Distributing more than 12 million pounds of food annually to dozens of local non-profit partner agencies, St. Mary’s is proud to be Flagstaff’s food bank!

32 HIGH SCHOOLS … TWO FOOD BANKS … ONE GOAL

For the second year in a row, more than 30 Valley High Schools will participate in the National Student Food Drive. This year, the drive is a coordinated effort between St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and United Food Bank and the Sept. 27 kickoff event was a huge success. A packed Community Room was full of enthusiasm thanks to special guests Pat McReynolds of KPHO Channel 5 (emcee) and Howler, the Phoenix Coyotes mascot and with food from Sara Lee and Coca Cola and the announcement of prizes from KEZ (99.9 FM), US Airways and Harkins Theatres there was plenty of incentives – not to mention bragging rights and the John van Hengel Memorial Cup – on the line during the next month.

St. Mary’s would like to thank the 32 high schools below for their great spirit and dedication to fight hunger in Arizona:
1. Apollo High School (Student Council)
2. Career Success High School (Student Council)
3. Carl Hayden High School (Student Government)
4. Centennial High School (Library)
5. Compadre High School
6. Compadre North High School
7. Copper Canyon High School
8. Corona del Sol High School
9. Crestview High School (School Leadership)
10. Deer Valley High School
11. Desert Ridge High School
12. Dysart High School (Key Club)
13. Greenway High School (Student Government)
14. Ironwood High School (National Honor Society)
15. Liberty High School (DECA)
16. James Madison Prep Academy
17. Maryvale High School
18. Marcos de Niza High School (National Honor Society)
19. Millennium High School (Interact)
20. Moon Valley High School (National Honor Society/Key Club/ Student Government)
21. Mountain Pointe High School
22. Mountain View High School
23. Mountain Ridge High School (Student Council)
25. Raymond Kellis High School (Business)
26. Sandra Day O’Connor High School (Student Leadership)
27. South Mountain High School (ROTC)
28. South Ridge High School (School Leadership)
29. Tolleson High School
30. Trevor Brown High School
31. Williams Field High School
32. Willow Canyon High School (Key Club)
KIDS HELPING KIDS … 2011 NATIONAL STUDENT FOOD DRIVE … HERE WE GO AGAIN … Good luck to everyone. Now … on your mark … get set ….

WHEN IT’S THE ROCK N’ BOX FINALE … WHO YA GONNA CALL?

WHEN IT’S THE ROCK N’ BOX FINALE … WHO YA GONNA CALL?

Tuesday was a great night at the Del E. Webb Distribution Center and a great night for more than 100 volunteers who closed out the 2011 summer Rock N’ Box season with a tribute to the 1980s. And who better to help bring back that 80s feel than the Arizona Ghostbusters, who made a special appearance along with their trademark ambulance to add a special Stay-Puft Marshmallow experience to the whole night.

With our volunteers powered by a great dinner provided by our friends at Whataburger, more than 65,000 pounds of donated food was sorted and placed into emergency food boxes – more than 40,000 of which will be distributed to hungry families at our Knight Center location just in the month of September alone. It was a great night of food, fun and philanthropy and the smiles on the faces of the volunteers told the story.
A big thanks to all the organizations present including Phoenix Philanthropists, Coca Cola, Arizona Public Service, Whataburger, CIGNA, All Saints Episcopal Day School and Peoria North Rotary Club, Ahwatukee Foothills NCL, DLA Piper, United Health Care for their participation in this final Rock N Box of the season.
We hope to see everyone back in 2012 for another summer of fun

CHARITY TENNIS TOURNAMENT IN SUN CITY GRAND BENEFITS ST. MARY’S IN SURPRISE

The Sun City Grand Tennis Club will host its annual “Shine in the Sun” senior tennis tournament this November.

The event is November 9 – 13, and this year’s tournament will benefit St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance in Surprise.
Plan on some fine competition, and join our Tennis Celebration on Sunday afternoon in the Sun City ...Grand Adobe Tennis Park. Your entry into the tournament includes the Sunday celebration and a t-shirt. Guest tickets can be purchased. Spouses and friends are welcome!!
Even if you are not playing in the tournament, come and watch! And, bring non-perishable canned goods to place in the donation boxes for the food bank. Let’s have some fun, and help those less fortunate in our community!!
Food Bank web site: http://www.firstfoodbank.org/

Faces of Hunger FREE Hunger 101 Feed Your Mind Training

When: Oct 18th (Tues), 8:30-9:30AM

What: Introduction to hunger and poverty in Arizona. Introduce the concepts of poverty and hunger, as well as the groups of people who live with hunger and poverty in America

Where: Location: MultiPurpose Conference Room, SMFBA Del Webb Center, 2831 N. 31st Ave, Phoenix, AZ

Register by contacting Ray Combe at rlcombe@firstfoodbank.org or 602-343-3164

FREE Hunger 101AZ Training -- Advocacy: The BASICS -- Feed Your Mind

When: Oct 21st (Fri), 1:00PM-2:00PM

What: Introduction to hunger and poverty in Arizona. Introduce the concepts of poverty and hunger, as well as the groups of people who live with hunger and poverty in America

Where:: MultiPurpose Conference Room, SMFBA Del Webb Center, 2831 N. 31st Ave., Phoenix, AZ

Register by contacting Ray Combe at rlcombe@firstfoodbank.org or 602-343-3164

2011 National Student Food Drive KICKS-OFF tonight

2011 National Student Food Drive KICKS-OFF tonight with more than 30 high schools across the Valley collecting food in conjunction with St Mary's Food Bank Alliance and United Food Bank.

Check with the high school nearest you to see if they are participating and how you can support their students as they work to be part of the Solution to Hunger in Arizona

There's STILL TIME to join -- 2011 Harvest Interfaith Food Drive

The 2011 Harvest Interfaith Food Drive is underway, but there’s still encourage your faith-based contacts join in the effort which started last Sunday, September 18th and will run through Sunday October 2nd.

Now’s the time for members of all faiths to take action that supports their messages of compassion by making a difference with this critical need to feed those among and about us.
For more information about joining our Harvest Interfaith Food Drive, you or your faith community leader may contact me at (602) 343-3169 or by email at cdprovorse@firstfoodbank.org

Recession Turning Young Adults Into Lost Generation

Young adults are the recession's lost generation.

In record numbers, they're struggling to find work, shunning long-distance moves to live with mom and dad, delaying marriage and raising kids out of wedlock, if they're becoming parents at all

Full Story: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/22/census-recession-young-adults_n_975476.html?igoogle=1

ATTENTION FOOD BANK FRIENDS AND SHUTTERBUGS

… HELP US CAPTURE THE BEST IMAGES OF CHASE TOWER THIS THURSDAY

St. Mary’s Food Bank needs your help! As part of the nation-wide Light Up Hunger program to promote Hunger Action Month, the good folks at Chase Tower are going to illuminate the state’s tallest building bright orange – the color of hunger – on Thursday, Sept. 22 from 7-11 p.m.
We are asking any photographers or just friends of the food bank to snap pictures of the 40-story, 483-foot building from different locations around downtown – and the Valley – so we can see just how cool this looks! Camera phones are great too.

Just snap a photo and post it on the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/firstfoodbank
Need some incentive? Glad you asked. The five best pictures of Light Up Hunger, St. Mary’s style will win one a limited edition St. Mary’s stuffed turkey for your very own. Deadline for submissions will be Tuesday, Sept 27 and the winners will be announced on Thursday, Sept. 29. So when the sun sets this Thursday, help us capture the best images of this truly unique opportunity to big awareness to the one in five Arizonans – and one in four children – who will go to bed hungry that night. We’re anxious to see your photos!

Happy Birthday Mr. Molay

St. Mary’s throws birthday bash for 10-year volunteer
Art Molay considers his fellow volunteers and the staff at St. Mary’s Food Bank his family, and they are a big factor in why he continues to put in hours at the Surprise location.

On Thursday, he celebrated his 98th birthday there.
“All these wonderful people here, they’re fantastic,” Molay said. “It’s a nice crew.”

Molay, a Sun City resident, works with the Kids Café program, chopping vegetables and preparing sandwiches for more than 2,000 children each day, but he took a short break Thursday morning to enjoy a small party with the St. Mary’s staff and his friends from the Temple Beth Shalom synagogue.
Full Story at: http://www.yourwestvalley.com/topstory/article_312031ea-e08e-11e0-9267-001cc4c002e0.html

HUNGER IS ALL AROUND YOU, EVERY DAY…

BUT THIS THURSDAY, THERE’S NO WAY YOU CAN MISS IT!
With Governor Jan Brewer having proclaimed September as “Hunger Action Month” in the state of Arizona, the largest and brightest reminder of the hunger issue in Arizona will come on Thursday, Sept. 22 when the 40-story Chase Tower – Arizona’s tallest building – will glow orange for all downtown Phoenix to see.

As part of Feeding America national Light Up Hunger initiative, prominent buildings and landmarks across the country will be lit up orange – the color of hunger – during Hunger Action Month. The 483-foot Chase Tower will now join the Jeweler’s Building in Chicago, the Illinois State Capitol Building, the PECO building in Philadelphia and Ferris Wheel known as Big Eli in Ft. Smith Arkansas in lighting up orange to remind everyone that more than 1.4 million Arizonans are facing hunger on a daily basis.
So if you’re in or driving past downtown Phoenix on Thursday and you see that orange glow dominating the Phoenix skyline – think hunger and thank Chase!
St. Mary’s is making it easy to fight hunger this month with its “30 Ways in 30 Days” calendar, chock full of events, ideas and suggestions to encourage those in all walks of life to help fight hunger themselves or through their businesses, churches, clubs or groups.
For more information and a complete “30 Ways in 30 Days” calendar of events, log on to www.firstfoodbank.org.

‎15th Way in 30 Days of Hunger Action Month

Be a food bank corporate partner like Phusion Projects which is volunteering and donating TODAY!

Tyson Foods and Lift Up America Respond to Hunger Action Month

With 30,000-pound Protein Donation to St. Mary’s and Partner Agencies
Tyson Foods and its “KNOW Hunger” campaign has gone a long way toward helping more people understand and join the effort to eliminate hunger in America. On Wednesday, Sept. 14, Tyson made an impact in our community with a donation of more than 30,000 pounds of protei...n to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance to be distributed by the Food Bank and nine of its partner agencies.

Tyson is a champion in the fight again hunger across America and this most recent donation could not have come at a better time for Arizona food banks who are struggling to keep up with ever-rising demand. St. Mary’s Food Banks in Phoenix and Flagstaff will begin distributing these donations immediately, and the partner agencies who will also benefit include:
• Agua Fria Food Bank
• Community Food Bank of Tucson
• Salvation Army (Mesa)
• St. Vincent DePaul
• United Food Bank
• Yavapai Food Bank
• Yuma Food Bank
• Desert Mission Food Bank
• Interfaith Cooperative Ministries

“There are millions of hard-working adults, children and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are faced with the realities of hunger and malnourishment,” said John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods. “We’re trying to make a difference in their lives by providing nutrient-rich protein and by increasing understanding of hunger in our country.”

For more Information about how to get involved in the fight against hunger is available at www.tysonhungerrelief.com.

Food insecurity grows as ...

... Hunger and poverty continue to plague America. The USDA just released their annual U.S. food-insecurity rates that showed for the third year in a row that nearly 49 million Americans, including 16.2 million children, are struggling to get enough to eat

Poverty continues to grow in the U.S. with it now having risen to 1 in 6 of Americans at or below the poverty level – up from 14 percent the year beforeup from 14 percent the year before, the third straight jump in the poverty rate.
www.firstfoodbank.org

ST. MARY’S AND UNITED FOOD BANKS SEEK HIGH SCHOOLS TO JOIN THE 2011 NATIONAL STUDENT FOOD DRIVE AND COMPETE FOR JOHN VAN HENGEL CUP

Winning Schools And Top Individuals Donors Can Win US Airways Travel Vouchers And A 250-seat Harkins Theatre For School Fund-Raising Event
The fifth annual National Student Food Drive kicks off in October, with high schools from around the Valley looking to dethrone... the four-time champions from Glendale Mountain Ridge High School and claim the coveted John van Hengel Memorial Cup for collecting the most food and cash donations.

There is still time for clubs, service organizations, student governments, or even a single homeroom, to represent their school and take on the challenge of helping to feed the hungry in Arizona. Collecting food and donations at a Friday night football game, afternoon pep rally, weekend car wash or class-against-class competition are just some of the ways to get the whole school and parent involved.
'For more information, contact St. Mary’s Food representative Chet Provorse at (602) 343-3169 or by email at cdprovorse@firstfoodbank.org or United Food Bank representative Melissa Forrester at (480) 926-4897, ext. 213 or by email at mforrester@unitedfoodbank.org.

Faith Community Leaders ..there's still time .. HARVEST INTERFAITH FOOD DRIVE

Faith Community Leaders,

As the Summer draws to a close, people of faith are discussing and planning for ways to share with their communities as the Autumn harvest season approaches – gathering and sharing all in the name of ending hunger.

Please take a few moments to consider what your community of faith can accomplish by accepting St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance’s invitation to join the 2011 Harvest Interfaith Food Drive which will kick off Sunday, September 18th and run through Sunday October 2nd.
The Food Bank would be excited to have your faith community joining this harvest of compassion.
Now’s the time to take action that supports your messages of compassion by making a difference with this critical need to feed those among and about us.
We hope you will share our vision and become a power for positive change by joining with the 2011 Harvest Interfaith Food Drive.

For more information, contact St. Mary’s Food Drive Manager Chet Provorse at (602) 343-3169 or by email at cdprovorse@firstfoodbank.org.

Help Feed the Hungry while helping yourself to Discounted Auto Care

Advanced Auto Service and Tire Centers is a good friend of St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and is back with their annual food drive to benefit Arizona’s hungry.

Bring a minimum of five (5) non-perishable food items from now until September 30 and receive $10 toward an auto care purchase of $20 or more at any of their 13 locations around the Valley.
It’s a great way to save on your auto expenses while helping the one in four Arizona children who struggle with hunger issues each day.
Thank you to Advance Auto Care for your continued support of St. Mary’s and the community.

TYSON FOODS TEAMS WITH ST. MARY’S FOOD BANK AND ARIZONA HUNGER COUNCIL TO DISTRIBUTE 28,000 POUNDS OF PROTIEN

...  TO 10 AREA PARTNERS IN THE FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER AROUND ARIZONA
Distribution Takes Place Wednesday, Sept 15 at 7 a.m. at St. Mary’s Food Bank

With Governor Jan Brewer having proclaimed September as “Hunger Action Month” in the state of Arizona, Tyson Foods and the Arizona Hunger Council continue a month filled with hunger awareness activities with a 28,000 pound donation of much needed protein that will benefit 10 agency partners around Arizona.
The Tyson donation is part of the company’s Hunger All-Star program, which recognizes individuals and groups who do exceptional work in the field of hunger relief. The protein will be loaded off a Tyson tractor trailer beginning at 7 a.m. at the Del E. Webb Distribution Center (2831 N. 31st avenue). The donation will be accepted by St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance as well as the Agua Fria Food Bank, Community Food Bank of Tucson, Desert Mission Food Bank, Interfaith Corporate Ministries, the Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul, United Food Bank, Yavapai Food Bank and Yuma Food Bank.
“There are millions of hard-working adults, children and seniors who simply cannot make ends meet and are faced with the realities of hunger and malnourishment,” said John Tyson, chairman of Tyson Foods. “We’re trying to make a difference in their lives by providing nutrient-rich protein and by increasing understanding of hunger in our country.”
Tyson Foods has been an active participant in the fight against hunger for a decade, donating more than 82 million pounds of protein, or the equivalent of 300 million meals. The company partners with Share Our Strength, Lift Up America, Feeding America and the League of United Latin American Citizens to raise awareness and help feed the hungry across the nation. Information about how to get involved in the fight against hunger is available at www.tysonhungerrelief.com.

Help St. Mary’s Feed the Hungry … and Help Yourself to a Free Dessert at Culver’s

 Here’s a great way to help Arizona’s hungry while satisfying your sweet tooth. During the entire month of October, bring two non-perishable food items for St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance to any of three Culver’s locations and enjoy a free one-scoop dessert. There is no purchase necessary, but when you see the great menu of goodies that Culver’s has to offer, just a dessert won’t be good enough.

The offer begins on Oct. 1 and is good at the following Culver’s locations:
*825 E. Camelback Road. in Phoenix
*16145 W. Bell Rd. in Surprise
*8271 W. Ludlow Dr. in Peoria

9th Way in 30 Days

General Mills supports Hunger Action Month .. why not buy Cheerios
30 Ways in 30 Days: http://www.firstfoodbank.org/events/HAM-Calendar.pdf

AMAZON supports Hunger Action Month ..,

so shop Amazon today!

1 in 5 Arizonans live at or below the poverty level while facing the challenges of hunger every day
More Hunger Action Month 30 Ways in 30 Days ideas:http://www.firstfoodbank.org/events/HAM-Calendar.pdf

Fry's is at it AGAIN as HUNGER ACTION MONTH starts

And, St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance is very grateful again! 
Check out why at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7CH3nzYPzE&feature=youtu.be