Community Gold: How Mesa United to Share 250 Pallets of Mac & Cheese
“This was truly a beautiful collaboration to solve a wonderful problem.”
Renee, the Director of Community Partnerships with Mesa Public Schools, faced an extraordinary challenge when approached by an inspired donor at the end of the spring season. Presented with a generous donation of 250 pallets of Kraft Deluxe Cheddar HomeStyle Mac & Cheese Dinner, she turned to United Food Bank to help distribute $900,000 worth of food to the Mesa community free of charge.
“It was tricky because it was perishable,” Renee explained. “If it wasn’t, I could distribute it more easily, but knowing that I had a partner in all this made it so much easier for me to accept the donation.” Given the sheer volume of the donation, Renee collaborated with United Food Bank to devise a plan. They stored the donation in Mesa Cold Storage through May, with storage costs generously covered by the donor. Renee then spent time coordinating food distributions across the Mesa Public School District, ensuring students, families, and staff members could put food on their tables.
“The kids loved it, and the staff was so appreciative,” said Renee. “It was a fantastic product to distribute because you can eat it as is or add vegetables to make a meal for a family of four.” Focused on the goal of distributing the donation without any waste, United Food Bank stepped in to handle the remaining 90 pallets after all of the distributions and the lease with Mesa Cold Storage ended.
United Food Bank prides itself on supporting efforts to alleviate food insecurity across Arizona. This partnership with Mesa Public Schools exemplifies the power of community collaboration, transforming a massive donation into a tangible benefit for hundreds of families. By coordinating with numerous local organizations, every last bit of the Kraft Deluxe Cheddar Mac & Cheese reached those in need. The logistics involved were immense, but with a shared vision and commitment to service, a potential challenge was turned into a community triumph.
And the outreach didn’t stop there. Renee also collaborated with other school districts to assist students and families wherever she could. With a Mesa Cold Storage facility in Tolleson, they were able to distribute 15 pallets of food to serve the Tolleson community. “I didn’t want any pallets to go to waste, and if it weren’t for these partnerships, I don’t think I could’ve accepted a donation this large,” Renee reflected.
This remarkable effort highlights the profound impact a committed group of individuals can have on a community. Through collaboration, creativity, and compassion, even the largest challenges can become opportunities for growth and connection. The Mesa community, bolstered by Renee’s leadership and the support of United Food Bank, stands as a testament to what can be achieved when working together for the common good.
To make a donation or host a food drive of your own, visit www.azmillionmeals.org!
Written by KC Raguay
