A semi-truck carrying approximately 40,000 pounds of food arrived at the Father McGivney Food Bank in Queen Creek on Tuesday, Sept. 29. The delivery, made by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was received at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, located at 20615 E Ocotillo Road. A volunteer appreciation breakfast and ceremony followed the 8 a.m. delivery at 10 a.m.
The donation is part of a nationwide initiative by American250 and JustServe.org, a digital platform used by the LDS church to connect volunteers with opportunities. The campaign aims to deliver food to 250 food banks across all 50 states, contributing roughly 10 million meals. In Arizona, deliveries have already been made to food banks in Gilbert, Yuma, Phoenix, Tucson, and Flagstaff.
Robert Varela and Steve Way, co-founders of the all-volunteer food bank established 17 years ago, stated that the timing of the donation is critical as their supplies are running low. Way noted in a press release that the organization serves 350 to 400 families weekly and that the delivery will help them continue providing food to the community.
The food bank is entering its busy season, which includes fall and the holidays, a period when demand often rises due to higher gas and grocery prices. Additionally, thousands of Arizonans have lost federal food benefits over the past year.
Last year, the Father McGivney Food Bank provided food to 80,000 families, with all donations going to the Queen Creek community. Varela and Way indicated they will better understand the increase in demand as the season progresses. One challenge the organization faces is reduced donations from local grocery stores.
While national supermarket chains donate surplus food through the Feeding America program, rising costs have led grocers to order more conservatively, resulting in less surplus available for donation. Varela highlighted that nonperishable protein donations, such as canned chicken and tuna, are particularly important given the high cost of meat.
