Councilman Daniel Valenzuela leads Food Drive to benefit St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance would like to thank Phoenix City Councilman Daniel Valenzuela (District 5) for conducting a holiday food drive to benefit the hungry of Phoenix.

Valenzuela and his fellow community organizers canvassed neighborhoods in his district on Saturday, Dec. 17 and those efforts resulted in a donation of 1,612 pounds of food that can be used immediately in St. Mary’s emergency food Box programs.

Thank you Councilman Valenzuela for your efforts on behalf of the hungry in your community!

Cleveland Indians Pitcher Vinnie Pestano Helps Hungry at Knight Center

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance would like to thank Vinnie Pestano and Ryan Lantz of the Cleveland Indians for donating their time to help the hungry of Arizona this week at our Knight Services Center.

 Pestano, who made his major league debut in September and is now a resident of Goodyear, spent more than three hours carrying emergency food boxes, signing autographs and posed for pictures, with volunteers, donors and staff. Vinnie said he had a great time and he’ll be back – hopefully with a few teammates to help out.

Thank you very much for your time Ryan and good luck next season Vinnie. Go Tribe

Best Western International Donates nearly 4,000 meals During Food and Fund Drive

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance would like to thank the Employees Activity Committee of Best Western International for their efforts in a recent food and funds drive to benefit Arizona’s hungry.
The drive, which began in November and ran through mid-December, engaged employees by promoting drawings to win AMC Movie Gift Cards and 2-night free stays at any Best Western hotel. Employees were also allowed to redeem their Best Western Reward points towards gift cards to donate towards the food drive.

In the end, the drive raised 1,206 pounds of food and when combined with funds will allow St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance to distribute 3,971 meals to those in need this holiday season. Corinna Friday, Employee Activities Committee Chair for Best Western International Beardsley Operations Center and Jerry Hutchison, Senior Facilities Representative presented Jerry Brown of St. Mary’s with the drive proceeds.
Thank you Best Western!

The Holiday Spirit!

Fry’s Donates More Than 500,000 Meals With Special Holiday Gift To St. Mary’s

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance had some very special visitors on Monday – Fry’s Food Stores President Jon Flora and more than two dozen volunteers from Fry’s who helped pack emergency food boxes and carry them out to the cars for hundreds of families at our Knight Client Service Center.

Those volunteers also joined Mr. Flora in a special presentation to St. Mary’s President and CEO Terry Shannon – a donation of $50,000 and an additional $25,000 worth of much-needed food items for the 1.4 million Arizonans and one in four children who are requesting assistance this holiday season. All told, that’s enough to allow St. Mary’s to distribute more than a half million meals to Arizona’s hungry.
It was just the latest in a consistent, strong show of support from Fry’s – which has now donated enough food and funds for more than 900,000 meals this year – not to mention two million-plus pounds of product donated daily through the Food Rescue Program.
Fry’s volunteers also handed out gift cards to 20 families receiving assistance on Monday, just make the holidays a little brighter. It was incredible to have so many Santa-capped, smiling faces add a special energy to the Food Bank.

Special thanks to Mr. Flora, public relations leaders Joellen Lynn and Pam Giannonatti and Zone 1 Operations Supervisor and St. Mary’s Board of Directors member Nicki Schillhahn-Amos for all their assistance – not just today, but every day – to the World’s First Food Bank.

Local Vintage Chevy Club Collects More Than 10,000 Meals For Arizona’s Hungry

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance would like to thank the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America’s Central Arizona Chapter for their donation of $1,500 and 76 pounds of food to Arizona’s hungry on Dec. 15. Each year, the club hold two swap meets of car parts and other item at Glendale Community College, with some of the proceeds benefitting St. Mary’s.

Over the past two years, the club has donated enough food and funds to help the food bank distribute more than 17,500 meals to the one in four Arizona children who don’t know when or where their next meal will come. And we always look forward to the club members bringing their cars down to the food bank to show off their great restorations.
A big thank you to Diane Adams Club Editor, Sandy Bruyn Club Secretary, Ed Behie Club Director and Linda Behie, and Don Adams Board Members as well as all the club members for this great donation. We hope to see you all again next year. Until then: Keep on rollin!
Photos: Left to Right: Jerry Brown, Linda Behie, Don Adams, Ed Behie, Sandy Bruyn, Diane Adams

Volunteer ... TRY IT ...You'll like it.
Volunteering Details at: http://www.firstfoodbank.org/volunteer.html

Mrs. Claus for a CAUSE

beCAUSE Hunger doesn't go on a Holiday.

Listen to the Lady at: http://youtu.be/G_1VqBgIkuw

“Cadena de Gente Buena” - Univision Channel 33 Encourages Support for St. Mary’s

Univision Channel 33 Encourages Viewers to Support St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance by Paying it Forward.
From Dec. 5-10, St. Mary’s was the subject of a Cadena de Gente Buena (Chain of Good People / Pay it Forward) campaign sponsored by Univision 33 Phoenix.

The campaign included a series of stories on the World’s First Food Bank’s history, its role in the community and client success stories as well as public service announcements that encouraged viewers to support St. Mary’s. Univision also sponsored a five-hour phone bank offering opportunities for viewers to learn more about St. Mary’s services or support the Food Bank by donating time, food and money.
Goodwill stores of Arizona participated as a drop-off site for non-perishable food donations during Cadena de Gente Buena.
As part of the campaign, Univision TV and radio talent also stepped away the anchor desk and microphones to roll up their sleeves, spending the morning of Dec. 9 at the St. Mary’s Knight Services Center, and the morning of Dec. 10 distributing food at Abundant Life Center -- a St. Mary’s partner agency.]

To view the rest of the stories visit http://univisionarizona.univision.com  Keyword:  Cadena de Gente Buena

Thank you Univision 33 for your continued support through what will hope will become an annual event.

THANK YOU AAM HOA Management Company

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance would like to thank Tempe-base AAM HOA Management Company for the record-setting virtual food drive on behalf of the world’s first food bank.

Amanda Shaw (President), Ercell Sherman (Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer) and Susan Williams (Vice President of Business Development and Marketing) presented St. Mary’s Chief Communications Officer Sarah Stuckey... with a check for $28,270 at a morning press conference – which included a special $5,000 donation from the AAM company.
More than $23,000 was raised through a company virtual food drive, with employees making online donations to purchase individual items for the food bank. AAM set a goal of $6,000 for the drive, but the generosity of those taking part resulted in nearly four time that amount ultimately raised.
For each dollar donated, St. Mary’s Food Bank can distribute enough food to provide seven meals in the community. That means the total donation from AAM will result in almost 200,000 meals for the hungry of Arizona – a truly special gift, especially at this time of year.

On behalf of the thousands who will benefit from this outpouring of generosity, St. Mary’s thanks AAM and everyone who took part in this event.

Pictured in check presentation photo: Amanda Shaw, AAM President; Sarah Stuckey, St. Mary’s Chief Communications Officer; Ercell Sherman, AAM Executive Vice President/Chief Operating Officer; Susan Williams, Vice President of Business Development and Marketing; Christina Calio, St. Mary’s Food Bank Development Officer.

Food Bank web site: http://www.firstfoodbank.org/

2011 Arizona Civic Health Index

The Index is the leading gauge of how Americans participate in civic life, how they connect to one another and to their communities. Find out more about the civic health of Arizona and how our state compares to the nation.

FREE Download report at: 

http://www.thearizonawewant.org/reports/chi2011.php

ARIZONA - 3rd in U.S.

for people in their 50s at risk of hunger
Arizona ranks third nationally for 50- to 59-year-olds at risk of hunger, with roughly 12 percent of people in this age group experiencing what is known as food insecurity, according to a report released in August by AARP.
Full story at: http://www.yumasun.com/news/food-73925-people-50s.html

2011 National Student Food Drive Awards

The 2011 National Student Food Drive was capped with an awards presentation on Saturday Dec. 10 at the Minnesota Wild/Phoenix Coyotes game at Jobing.com Arena.
The five-time champions from Mountain Ridge High School, runners-up from Sandra Day O’Connor High School and third-place team from Tempe Compadre High School were honored during the first intermission, and the Mountain Lions were awarded the John Van Hengel Memorial Cup by St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance president and CEO Terry Shannon and KEZ 99.9 FM reporter and Food Bank friend Marty Manning.

Congratulations to all the high schools who combined to collect over 145,000 meals for Arizona’s hungry and we hope even more schools will take part in 2012.

Currently, 1 in 4 children, 1 in 5 Arizonans, and 1 in 7 seniors in Arizona live with the threat of hunger.

YOU can help solve this problem.













Learn how at: www.firstfoodbank.org

Just a thought,
actually FOOD for thought...

actually food needed for thoughts

.

Hunger Hurts! You can help stop the Hurt

To learn more about how you can help, visit: http://www.firstfoodbank.org

Grand Tennis Club Raises More Than 42,000 Meals for the Hungry

of Surprise During 2011 Shine in the Sun Senior Tennis Tournament

Shine in the Sun Senior Tennis Tournament Co-Chairs Cheryl Bush and Vivian McCurdy joined members of Grand Tennis Club and representatives of US Bank to present a check for $6,022 to Elizabeth Wilkinson of St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance at the Food Bank’s Surprise facility.
The tournament was held Nov. 9-13 and attracted 175 participants this year. The tournament was an all-volunteer event and with the help of US Bank, $6,022 and more than 300 pounds of food was raised for the hungry of the West Valley. St. Mary’s can turn every donated dollar into enough food to distribute to seven people, so this year’s tournament raised more than 42,400 meals for the one in four children dealing with hunger issues in our state.

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance thanks Cheryl, Vivian, Ellen Bedwell, everyone at the Grand Tennis Club and US Bank for a great tournament and a great donation that is very much needed and appreciated.

With a LOTTA HELP from our Friends

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance Distributes Holiday Food to More Than 100,000 Neighbors For Thanksgiving


St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance would like to thank the thousands of people from around the Valley, the state of Arizona and the world for their generous donations of food, time and funds, which allowed the world’s first food bank to embark on its largest. (We say “the world” because we received a $500 donation from the United States Embassy in Bagdad, Iraq with a direction to purchase turkeys to help reach our goal!)

Because of you – because you took the time to help your neighbors and make this holiday even more special for others – St. Mary’s Food Bank can report the following totals from the week-long holiday food box distribution:

*    Statewide, more than 16,000 holiday food boxes, each containing a turkey and approximately 10 pounds of produce in addition to the normal non-perishable emergency food box. That total includes the 7,000 turkeys and holiday food boxes and the 70,000 pounds of produce distributed on Nov. 22 at the Arizona State Fairgrounds – the single-largest distribution day in the 44-year history of the Food Bank.

*   Statewide, an estimated 112,000 people were recipients of the holiday food distribution. This total is more than double the record 50,000 people estimated to be served during Thanksgiving week of 2010 – which at the time was a new record for the Food Bank. These numbers show how the need for emergency food continues to rise. This is a number St. Mary’s could not fathom reaching without the incredible public, and civic support of Arizonans who deem one in four children going hungry in our state to be unacceptable.

St. Mary’s anticipates the need for the December holiday season to also eclipse last year’s numbers. For families that will have little to nothing under the tree this year, the ability to gather at the table for a meal becomes even more important. Make your holiday season even more special by sharing your bounty with others.

Visit www.firstfoodbank.org or call (602) 242-FOOD (3663) to donate food, time and funds can help make this season better for those who need a helping hand.

Checlk out this day-in-the-life of 100,000 people dealign with HUNGER:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sEHT5FIDZkE&feature=youtu.be

:

Arizona Celebration of Lights Continues –

Save on Admission -Donate to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance

Arizona’s Largest Christmas Light Show is off and running until Jan.1, and you can save off the admission price for your car with a canned food donation to St. Mary’s. Our thanks to Madison for taking pictures of our banner and some of the great displays she saw during opening night so people could see how cool this event can be!

 Now in its 14th year, Arizona Celebration of Lights, has become a well-loved favorite family holiday destination in the Phoenix area. This year, visitors to the Phoenix Event Complex (99th Avenue and Thomas Road) will experience a light show that is bigger than ever, featuring more than 7 million lights, along with a Christmas Village full of fun.

You can save $2 off the regular cost ($15 per vehicle Monday-Thursday, and $20 per vehicle Friday-Sunday) with a donation of three cans or more to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance (limit one discount per vehicle). With tunnels, arches and whimsical displays created from millions of twinkling LED lights, the show will delight children as well as the young at heart.

Arizona Celebration of Lights will be open now through Jan 1, including Christmas Day. Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday, 6-9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 5:30-10 p.m.

For more information on Arizona Celebration of Lights, visit www.ArizonaCelebrationofLights.com.

Line Grows Long for Free Meals at U.S. Schools

Millions of American schoolchildren are receiving free or low-cost meals for the first time as their parents, many once solidly middle class, have lost jobs or homes during the economic crisis, qualifying their families for the decades-old safety-net program. 

 
The number of students receiving subsidized lunches rose to 21 million last school year from 18 million in 2006-7, a 17 percent increase.
More information about St. Mary's Food  Bank Alliance school feeding program at: http://www.firstfoodbank.org/kidscafe.html

WESTGATE CITY CENTER, DeVRY UNIVERSITY VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL GROUPS TEAM FOR 2ND ANNUAL BOWLS FOR HUNGRY EVENT

 Join Westgate City Center, DeVry University, and six high schools from the west Valley for the second annual Bowls for the Hungry event to benefit the Kids Cafe program at St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.  

About 150 business and marketing students from high schools representing Raymond S. Kellis, Copper Canyon, La Joya Community, Desert Heights Preparatory Academy, Tolleson and Willow Canyon are creating and painting handmade ceramic bowls that will be sold at a silent auction on Dec. 15th at the Westgate City Center prior to the Edmonton Oilers-Phoenix Coyotes hockey game. Howler, the Coyotes mascot, will be on-site to shake paws and sign autographs.

  
Many Westgate businesses and retailers will also be auctioning off bowls with prize packages (Howler’s bowl with Coyotes Tickets, Yard House with $50 gift certificate, Shout House with Happy Hour party, etc.)                 
In addition to the auction, the public is invited to participate in a simultaneous food drive, where ten cans of food will earn a bowl painted by an area high school student. The food drive is also open to the public from Nov. 28 through Dec. 14 at all Valley DeVry University/Keller Graduate School of Management locations including the Phoenix campus (2149 W. Dunlap Avenue), Glendale Center (6751 N. Sunset Blvd., Suite E104), Mesa Center 1201 S. Alma School Rd., Suite 5450) and northeast Phoenix (18500 N. Allied Way, Suite 150).

All proceeds will benefit the St. Mary’s Kids Cafe program, which provide an after-school meal for more than 3,000 at risk children each day.

HAPPY VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL AGAIN COMES THROUGH FOR ARIZONA’S HUNGRY!

St. Mary’s Food Bank employees in Surprise was VERY happy to see the bus from Happy Valley Elementary School pull up in its parking lot on Tuesday morning. Every year, the students from Happy Valley conduct a huge food drive and then bring what they have collected to the food bank – forming a huge human chain to fill bin after bin with canned food items. 

This year, the second graders (Mrs. Johnson) and sixth graders (Ms. Campaigne) delivered more than 3,200 pounds of food to help feed the hungry of Arizona this holiday season. This is the second straight year they school has topped the 3,200-pound mark, and the Patriots appeared to have a lot of fun making the donation. 

Thank you Happy Valley Elementary School, for making Thanksgiving better for so many. And have a Happy Thanksgiving yourselves!

ALL SAINTS EPISCOPAL CHURCH & DAY SCHOOL COLLECTS MORE THAN 24,000 MEALS DURING ANNUAL HOLIDAY FOOD & FUNDS DRIVE

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance always looks forward to our annual call from All Saints Episcopal Church and Day School. And from this year’s photo, you can certainly tell why!

All Saints holds a St. Mary’s food drive to benefit the hungry of Arizona each year, and once again their congregation, parents and students put forth a great effort. The final total was more than 20,500 pounds of food – including many 50-pound bags of rice that our 500 partner agencies around the Valley and state will certainly put to good use. With more than $500 in cash donations included, this drive will allow the food bank to distribute more than 24,000 meals into the community.

This is a huge undertaking but a labor of love for the members of the church, who have donated more than 43,000 pounds in just the last two years alone.


Especially this year, with donations lagging and with so many people – including one in four of Arizona’s children – in need, this overwhelming donation is sincerely appreciated. Thank you All Saint Episcopal Church and Day School for your generosity, compassion and concern for those in your community who need help right now.

SERVPRO DONATES 2,100 POUNDS OF THANKSGIVING TURKEYS AND SIDES TO KICK OFF SUPER SATURDAY FESTIVITIES

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance would like to thank Jeff Ottaway and his crew at Servpro for their great kickoff donation of meals consisting of turkeys, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, rolls and deserts that will feed hundreds of Arizona’s hungry during this holiday season.

Servpro managers from around the Valley were on hand on Nov. 17 to form a human chain to unload the more than 2,000 pounds of food and present it to the Food Bank. A great time was had by all and Mr. Ottaway tells us he’ll be back next year with even more.

On behalf of the hungry of Arizona, a big thank you to Servpro for their great donation and commitment to their community.

Pei Wei Holiday Food Drive!!!

Congratulations to John Demetra 2011 Spirit of Philanthropy Award Winner

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance Board Member and uber-volunteer John Demetra was honored by St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance with a Spirit of Philanthropy Award at the Nov. 16th AFP Awards Dinner at the Sheraton Phoenix Downtown Hotel. St. Mary’s honored John for his exceptional volunteerism: 3 days a week at the Agency Shopping area, extensive involvement with the Kids Cafe Golf Tournament and the Kids Cafe Program. Accompanying John to the Dinner is his lovely wife Alice.

Terry Shannon, President & CEO of St. Mary’s Food Bank presented a Spirit of Philanthropy Award to Board Member John Demetra for outstanding volunteer efforts on behalf of St. Mary’s. The award was presented at the annual AFP Philanthropy Leadership Awards Dinner on November 16, 2011. Pictured above are honored volunteers and dinner guest (left to right) Jim Heidkamp, John Demetra, volunteer Bruce Miller and CEO Terry Shannon.

Here's an idea for the holidays: create & send greeting cards as your personal note cards that include nutrition, recipes & food ideas!

It's the ASU vs UA Rivalry Football Game, but Kind Food Donations Please!

ASU4FOOD COLLECTS FOOD, CASH DONATIONS AT ASU-UA FOOTBALL GAME ON NOVEMBER 19th 2011 AS PART OF 2011 TERRITORIAL CUP FOOD FIGHT


Every Dollar Collected from Fans Will Provide Seven Meals This Holiday


Season; ASU4FOOD Looking to Beat Total Collected By Arizona Students
Phoenix, AZ – In a unique partnership with the University of Arizona and Arizona State University, State Farm Insurance is sponsoring the third annual Territorial Cup Series Food Fight. The purpose of the Food Fight for on-campus student organizations at ASU and UA to collect as much food and cash donations as possible – in a friendly “Food Fight” – to help the hungry in their communities.

This year, the annual UA-ASU “Duel in the Desert is set for Saturday, November 19, at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, AZ with the Territorial Cup and state bragging rights on the line for the Wildcats and Sun Devils.

This year more than ever, local Arizona food banks need more contributions to help meet the increased demand from people needing assistance. State Farm is challenging all fans attending the game – no matter your rooting interest – to bring non-perishable food item and/or cash to donate. There will be numerous food drop locations surrounding Sun Devil and Arizona Stadium. Look for “Collection Point” signs and bins and people wearing State Farm T-Shirts to assist you.
Recipients of the donations in the Valley will be St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, The Salvation Army and United Food Bank.
"The aim of our partnership is to not only spotlight athletic programs offered by each university, but also to help alleviate hunger in the community and address the educational funding challenges each university is currently experiencing," said State Farm Vice President-Agency Suzanne Shambrook. "State Farm is proud to be a part of such a storied past of two nationally renowned universities.”

GET YOUR TURKEYS READY, SUPER SATURDAY THIS SATURDAY!

ST. MARY’S FOOD BANK ALLIANCE EXPANDS 5th ANNUAL ‘SUPER SATURDAY’ TURKEY DRIVE TO 16 LOCATIONS ACROSS THE STATE FOR 2011Help Food Bank Reach Goal of 6,000 Donated Turkeys for Holiday Boxes;

Enter For a Chance To Win One of 16 $250 US Airways Flight Vouchers
Phoenix – It’s almost Turkey Time – and that means it’s “Super Saturday” time as well.
St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance will hold its fifth annual “Super Saturday” Turkey Drive on Saturday, Nov. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. For the first time, the drive will expand to 16 locations around the Valley and in Flagstaff in hopes of meeting what is anticipated to be an unprecedented need for the 2011 Holiday season.

The Food Bank is anticipating requests for a record number of holiday food boxes. But hopes remain that each will contain turkey and other assorted holiday dinner items – to allow families around the Valley and state the chance to enjoy the comforting tradition of a holiday meal. Last year, through the generous donations of businesses and private citizens wanting to help, St. Mary’s estimates their pre-Thanksgiving food distribution provided meals for as many as 50,000 people.

In addition to turkeys, all other non-perishable food items as well as monetary donations will be gladly accepted. And at each of the 16 locations, all donors are invited to register for a chance to win a $250 US Airways travel voucher.


Look for the giant inflatable turkey and smiling volunteers ready for your visit at the following “Super Saturday” locations around the Valley and in Flagstaff:

• St. Mary’s Food Bank Stardust Campus (2831 N. 31st Avenue)

• St. Mary’s Westside Facility (13050 W. Elm Street in Surprise)

• Albertsons Desert Ridge (21001 N. Tatum Blvd.)

• Albertsons Glendale (20255 N. 59th Ave.)

• Albertsons Peoria (8240 W. Deer Valley Road)

• Albertsons Surprise (16750 W. Bell Road)

• Albertsons Scottsdale (2785 N. Scottsdale Road)

• Albertsons Via Linda (11475 E. Via Linda)

• Albertsons Flagstaff (1416 E. Route 66)

• Harkins Christown 14 (1620 W. Montebello)

• Harkins Scottsdale 101 14 (7000 E. Mayo Blvd.)

• Harkins Arrowhead Fountains 18 (16046 N. Arrowhead Fountains Center)

• Harkins Gateway Pavilions 18 (10250 W. McDowell Road)

• Harkins Tempe Marketplace 16 (2000 E. Rio Salado Drive)

• Harkins Scottsdale Shea 14 (7354 E. Shea Blvd.)

• Harkins Flagstaff 11 (1959 Woodlands Village Blvd.)

ABOUT THE FOOD BANK: St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, the world’s first food bank, is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization that alleviates hunger by efficiently gathering and distributing food to 500 partner agencies at 700 locations that serve the hungry. Serving two-thirds of Arizona’s 15 counties, the organization is a member of Feeding America, the national network of food banks, and is committed to volunteerism, building community relationships, and improving the quality of life for Arizonans in need. Last year, the Food Bank distributed more than 74.2 million pounds of food to families and individuals, provided enough food for 275,000 meals every day, and garnered more than 370,000 volunteer service hours. Web site: www.FirstFoodBank.org

Roger Clyne & P.H Naffah Puts on a Concert to Help St. Mary Feed the Hungry!

ROGER CLYNE & P.H. NAFFAH MAKE SPECIAL LUNCHTIME APPEARANCE AT ST. MARY’S FOOD BANK ON NOVEMBER 23; CLYNE ASKS FANS TO BRING DONATIONS OF TURKEY, CASH & FOOD FOR HOLIDAYS


Phoenix, AZ – For the second consecutive year, Arizona’s own musical treasure Roger Clyne is teaming up with St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance to raise awareness – and food – for families struggling with hunger this holiday season.


This year, Roger is really upping the ante. He will make a special lunchtime appearance at St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance’s Del E. Webb Distribution Center (2831 N. 31st Avenue) on the day before Thanksgiving to give his fans who help the Food Bank a special treat of their own. From noon to 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23, Roger and drummer P.H. Naffah will not only play their own selections but take requests from fans who make special donations to the food bank.


St. Mary’s is asking that fans bring turkeys, canned food or cash equal to a $10 donation to the show to help the one in five adults and one in four children in Arizona that need help to put food on the table this holiday season St. Mary’s personnel will be stationed at the entrances to the food bank to collect the donations prior to entry to the Food Bank parking lot.


Later that day, Roger will head to the East Valley and collect canned food, turkeys and cash donation from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at Top Liquors in Tempe (403 W. University Drive). Clyne will be signing bottles of his ultra-premium Mexican Moonshine Tequila for those who make a donation to St. Mary’s for the holiday season.


“The food bank would like to thank Roger Clyne for giving of his time to help the hungry of Arizona and we invite his fans to come to St. Mary’s Food Bank and take advantage of this great opportunity,” St. Mary’s president and CEO Terry Shannon. “Roger is known not only for his incredible music but his big heart when he comes to helping the community. We are honored he has selected our Food Bank as a partner and are looking forward to a great day.”


So come on out and talk Turkey – and stuffing, and canned vegetables – with Roger Clyne and help Arizona’s hungry while helping yourself to a great chance to check out some great music.

Drink Wine for Hunger!

Valley of the Sun 2030 Wine Soiree This Friday at the Mint in Scottsdale All Proceeds Benefit St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance

The Valley of the Sun 20/30 Club will hold their annual Holiday Wine Soiree this Friday, Nov. 18, at the Mint in Old Town Scottsdale (http://www.themintaz.com/) from 7-9 p.m. The $25 admission ($30 at the door) includes two drink tickets and light hors d'oeuvres.


Click here to purchase tickets via PayPal and be sure to include your name and "Wine Soiree" in the comments section. https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=K3BC8NT8ZUCYQ


In addition, we will also have raffle items available - tickets may be purchased at a cost of $5 a piece or five for $20. Raffle tickets may also be purchased through PayPal in case someone is unable to attend, but be sure to notate that in the PayPal comments section as well. All proceeds will benefit St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance and help the one in five Arizonans – and one in four children – struggling with hunger.

Fill a Boot? Fill a Box? It’s Fill-A Fire Truck For St. Mary’s Food Bank!

Help Rural Metro Fire Department make Saturday SUPER in Litchfield Park.

Date: November 19th, 2011

Time: 12:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.

Location: Bashas Supermarket at 5115 N. Litchfield Road, Litchfield Park, Arizona


The Rural-Metro Firemen ask that you help fill their truck with donations of non-perishable food items for St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance. Help your local Rural/Metro Fire Department tackle the challenge of easing hunger in the West Valley for those who are less fortunate or having financial hardships during these difficult economic times. Cash donations are also accepted – for each dollar raised, the Food Bank can distribute the equivalent of SEVEN meals into the community.

Requested food items include peanut butter, tuna, canned fruit and vegetables, rice, pasta and cereal. Please help your firefighters fight hunger on Nov. 19. We’ll see you there!

RENT-A-CENTER’S ‘SOUP-TO-NUTS’ CAMPAIGN DONATES $20,000 TO ST. MARY’S FOOD BANK

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance would like to thank Rent-A-Center for its continued support in the fight against hunger not only in Arizona, but across the country. On Nov. 9, Regional Coach Israel Beltran and his team of district managers presented St. Mary’s President and CEO Terry Shannon with a check for $20,000 – which will allow the Food Bank to distribute enough food for 140,000 meals.




St. Mary’s is one of 11 food banks across the nation selected to share in the $250,000 Rent-a-Center is donating to fight hunger in America this year. The donation is in addition to the recent hunger-relief initiative staged across Rent-A-Center’s 3000-plus stores. Dubbed “Soup to Nuts,” this campaign took place in September in support of Hunger Action Month. It saw Rent-A-Center stores serve as collection points for cans of soup, jars of peanut butter and other canned goods. The donated food products were delivered to hunger-relief partners such as senior centers, homeless shelters, daycare centers and churches.



“This is the second consecutive year that Rent-A-Center has made this generous donation, which will allow Food Banks to distribute enough food to provide more than 1.7 million meals to the hungry across the country,” St. Shannon said. “St. Mary’s is proud of its partnership with Rent-A-Center and overwhelmed by this very generous and overwhelming donation.”

Seasonal Elucidation #53:

What do you get when you cross a turkey with a centipede?

  
A drumstick for everybody

Which Thanksgiving beverage is sad?

Apple Sigh-der.

 
http://www.hunger101az.org/
 
 
 

BOWL OVER HUNGER AT CH ROBINSON BOWL-A THON ON NOV. 12 @ AMF DESERT HILLS

CH Robinson Worldwide is taking its shot at bowling over hunger this Saturday, Dec. 12 when they take over the AMF Lanes at 32nd Street and Bell for a Bowl-A-Thon to benefit St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.
Every dollar that is raised through bowling fees, pledges, raffle sales and a portion of concession sales will be matched by CH Robinson, so this is a great chance to enjoy a day of fun while feeding thousands of people in our community.
The event will take place from noon – 3 p.m. Entry fees are $15 with a donation of three cans to the food bank or $20 without food, with a portion of the fee going directly to St. Mary’s. All bowlers are encouraged to help the food bank by raising pledges from family, friends and co-workers – with prizes awarded to whoever collects the most pledges AND whoever bowls the highest score on their pledge drive game!
For more information, please call Team Hunger Strike (Dusty Waldron) at (480) 483-4999 or via email at dusty.waldron@chrobinson.com.

GET A FREE OTIS SPUNKMEYER COOKIE FROM SPICY PICKLE W/A 3-CAN DONATION TO ST. MARY’S

Spicy Pickle Sandwich Company will support the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance as it kicks off its 2011 holiday “food-raiser,” called “Cans for Cookies.” Customer will receive one free, freshly-baked Otis Spunkmeyer cookie for every three cans of food they bring in to donate at any participating Spicy Pickle location (while supplies last). Spicy Pickle’s goal is to collect more than 5,000 cans during the two-month campaign and throughout its network of stores.

The Spicy Pickle Sandwich Company in Chandler is. For additional information visit http://www.spicypickle.com. Also, please note that, in an effort to best help those in need, donated cans should be standard sized (14.5 oz or larger) and may only be traded in for cookies while supplies last at any individual participating location.

The Spicy Pickle Sandwich Company in Chandler -- located at the SW corner of Highway 101 and Ray Road (480-786-4483) and is open from 11am - 9pm Monday through Saturday; and 11am – 6 pm on Sundays – will sponsor “Cans for Cookies” during the months of November and December. During this time, Spicy Pickle’s customers are encouraged to drop off their food donations to the store and enjoy a delicious free cookie with their meal. Spicy Pickle hopes that local businesses will help support this community effort by encouraging employees to participate.

Save $2 on Admission to the AZ Celebration of Lights w/a 3-Can Donation to St. Mary’s Food Bank

Now in its 14th years, Arizona Celebration of Lights, has become a well-loved favorite family holiday destination in the Phoenix area. This year, visitors to the Phoenix Event Complex (99th Avenue and Thomas Road) will experience a light show that is bigger than ever, featuring more than 7 million lights, along with a Christmas Village full of fun.
The fun starts on Saturday, Nov. 19 and you can save $2 off the regular cost ($15 per vehicle Monday-Thursday, and $20 per vehicle Friday-Sunday) with a donation of three cans or more to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance (limit one discount per vehicle)..
With tunnels, arches and whimsical displays created from millions of twinkling LED lights, the show will delight children as well as the young at heart. The festive atmosphere is sure to create memories every family will cherish and draw visitors from near and far.
After touring through the sparkling wonderland of lights, the wonder continues in Santa’s Village where visitors can park their cars and explore the holiday scene. Let your family warm up with delicious hot chocolate and enjoy other concessions as well. The computerized Christmas light show that will be projected in the village is sure to captivate every visitor. Capture memories from your family’s holiday adventure with photo opportunities with Santa Claus himself.
Arizona Celebration of Lights will be open Nov. 19-Jan 1, including Christmas Day. Hours of operation are Sunday through Thursday, 6-9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday, 5:30-10 p.m. The Christmas Village will be open Thursday through Sunday until Christmas.

For more information on Arizona Celebration of Lights, visit www.ArizonaCelebrationofLights.com.