Kids Cafe® Program On A Roll Thanks To New Thunderbird Charities Truck Fleet

Marking another step in the expansion process of St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance’s Kid’s Cafe® program, a fleet of three new refrigerated box trucks specifically dedicated to serving Arizona’s at-risk kids are ready to roll for the 2011-12 school year.

Purchased as part of a $250,000 capital campaign gift to Kids Cafe from Thunderbirds Charities, one of the three trucks made its maiden delivery to about 30 kids at Phoenix Youth at Risk (1001 E. Pierce Street, Phoenix) on Thursday, August 11. Thunderbirds “Big Chief” Michael McQuaid and Phoenix Youth At-Risk President and CEO Linda Lyman welcomed the truck along with St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance President and CEO Terry Shannon.
The three 2011 Chevy 4500 diesel trucks, purchased at cost from Sands Chevrolet, are equipped with a 14-foot Supreme Kold King Box and a Thermo King Model T-600 refrigerator unit and are more than twice the size of their now-retired predecessors. And the Kids Cafe program really needs them now that it has expanded to more than 50 sites for the 2011-12 school year – providing a secure, nurturing, educational environment for at-risk children who may not have a meal waiting for them at home.
During Fiscal Year 2010-11, more than 410,000 Kids Cafe meals were served to children five to 18 years of age.
Thank you, Thunderbirds Charities for your incredible donation and investment in the children of Arizona. Thank you, Phoenix Youth At-Risk for being such gracious hosts and all you do to mentor children. And thank you Sands Chevrolet, the new trucks look great!

WHATABURGER CELEBRATES NEW STORE OPENING WITH 3,500-MEAL DONATION TO ST. MARY’S

We have good news and GREAT news from our friends at Whataburger.
The good news is Whataburger is now serving their delicious fare at another location in the Valley, cutting the ribbon on their store at 2910 W. Thunderbird Road for the dining pleasure of those in the West Valley.
The GREAT news for Arizona’s hungry is that the owners marked the occasion with a $500 donation to St. Mary’s Food Bank as part of their grand opening ceremonies! That will allow the Food Bank to distribute enough food to provide 3,500 meals around Arizona, and St. Mary’s accepts this great gift on their behalf.

But Whataburger and this new location aren’t done – they wanted YOU to have a chance to help the Food Bank as well. So Wednesday, September 7 is St. Mary’s Food Bank Day at the new Thunderbird store. From 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. that day, 20 percent of all sales will be donated to St. Mary’s – giving you an opportunity to not only enjoy a great meal but help the one in four Arizona children who go to bed hungry each night.

And on Tuesday, September 27, Whataburger will be the food host for our final Rock N Box event of the summer, providing food and drinks to the more than 150 volunteers expected to fill the Del E. Webb Distribution Center to sort and pack donated food for emergency food boxes.
What-a-great way to help the hunger. What-a-great idea for diner.
Thank you Whataburger!

ARE YOU READY? SEPTEMBER IS HUNGER ACTION MONTH!

September is right around the corner, and with it brings Hunger Action Month, where AAFB joins Feeding America and anti-hunger advocates from around the country to take action to fight domestic hunger. Here is just a sampling of how you can get involved and make a difference this as Arizonans across the state  can  participate in Arizona Hunger Action Week!

Join other individuals, organizations, schools, and the faith community September 12-18 to fight hunger in communities throughout Arizona through volunteering, food drives, and other great activities!

More information: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Arizona-Hunger-Action-Week/144474502299914

29% OF ARIZONA HOUSEHOLDS WITH CHILDREN STRUGGLED TO BUY ENOUGH FOOD IN 2010

A new report by the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) shows 29% of Arizona households with children experienced food hardship in 2010, defined as not having enough money to buy needed food during the previous twelve months. This ties Arizona with Louisiana for the 7th worst food hardship rate for households with children in the country. Nationally, the average food hardship rate for households with children was 23.4% and Washington D.C. led all states at 37.4%.

Food hardship data is also available by Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and Congressional District. Both the Tucson and Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale MSAs ranked in the top-25 nationally for food hardship in households with children, ranking 15th (28.7%) and 20th (27.7%) respectively. Unfortunately, that means more than 1 in 4 children in both of Arizona’s major metro areas struggle with food hardship.

THANKS to all the Brownies

who attend Hunger 101AZ presentations to learn more about the Food Bank and how they can help us fight Hunger in Arizona. YOU do make a difference!

More Hunger 101AZ information at: www.hunger101az.org

SHAMROCK FOODS HELPS ST. MARY’S DISTRIBUTE 29,000 MEALS THROUGH FOOD SHOW DONATION

For more than 40 years, Shamrock Foods has been a partner with St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance in the fight against hunger. Shamrock founder Norman McClelland and St. Mary’s founder John Van Hengel were good friends for decades and started a relationship that still continues today.

Most recently. Shamrock promoted St. Mary’s during its 2011 Food Show, pledging to donate 10 cents for every case of new business earned during the sales period. More than 41,000 cases of new business later, Shamrock employee Elizabeth Tanardi presented Sandra Jorgensen and Sharon Pederson of St. Mary’s with a check for $4,109 – which will allow the Food Bank to distribute enough food for 29,000 meals into the community.
Whether it donations of food, funds or time. Shamrock Foods has been there for St. Mary’s and Arizona’s hungry. We appreciate their support and thank them for this most recent gift.

TIME IS RUNNING OUT FOR THE BEST DINING DEALS IN FLAGSTAFF

Did you get your 2011 Flagstaff Dining Club card yet? You’d better hurry, or you will miss out on the Northern Arizona’s best restaurant deal of the year. Get 2-for-1 dining at 32 of Flagstaff’s best restaurants – that’s 16 date nights or 16 golf bets, guys – with a purchase of the card. And you can save $5 on the $16 purchase price with a four-can (minimum) donation to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance’s Flagstaff facility.

Which restaurants are participating? Glad you asked:

International House of Pancakes, Sizzler, Galaxy Diner, Denny’s, Granny’s Closet, Porky’s Pub, Cheba Hut, Greek Islands, Alpha and Mega, Country Host, Buffalo Wild Wings, Peter Piper Pizza, El Charro Restaurant, Karma Sushi, Pizza Furiosa, Monsoon Downtown, Sakura Sushi, Hog’s Restaurant, Coco’s, Mamma Luisa, Sportsman’s Bar and Grill, Altitudes, Louie’s Chicken Shack, Scott’s Chicago Pizza, Café Del Rio, Woodlands Restaurant, Morning Glory Café,  and Taverna Greek Grill,

There are only 1,000 of these cards. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were less than 200 left. More than 2,600 pounds of food has already been collected for St. Mary’s. Don’t miss out on a great opportunity to get a great deal at 32 restaurants and help feed the hungry of Flagstaff. St. Mary’s would like to thank the Arizona Daily Sun for all their help in this great annual event that feeds thousands in the community.