Here, we share the stories of individuals, families, and communities uplifted by the generosity of donors, volunteers, and dedication of our partners.
Rain or shine, the show must go on. On November 19, United Food Bank hosted its 19th annual Thanksgiving Food Distribution at the Mesa Convention Center. Despite the weather, it
Growing up in one of Los Angeles’ toughest neighborhoods, Anthony, better known as Tony, has faced a lifetime of challenges and instability. Now at 62 years old, he is a
Every October 31, neighborhoods come alive with the glow of pumpkins lighting the way, people walking around in elaborate costumes and excited children holding large bags filled with their candy
When discussing the impacts of food insecurity, people often focus on seniors living on fixed incomes, children going to school with empty stomachs and families stretching every dollar to get
The hum of truck engines, the shuffling of pallets and the beeping noises of forklifts all signal the start of another busy workday at United Food Bank. Long before most
During the summer months, when school cafeterias close and electric bills soar, thousands of families across Arizona struggle to feed their families. This year, however, the need has never been
Growing up in Missouri, Christopher understood early on that food wasn’t just something you ate, but a way of life. “We don’t do a frozen pizza. We don’t do frozen
Keani has always taken pride in providing for his small family. But his world shifted when he was laid off in November. With no job and with a two-year-old son
“Just take it one day at a time. Enjoy the good for what it is. And if there’s anything bad, do your best to get through it. Know that tomorrow’s
Fighting food insecurity doesn’t have to be confined to a warehouse; sometimes, the solution can be found in the soil. When most people think of a food bank, they picture
From sunny pool days to family road trips, a break from school is a time of excitement and rest after a year of learning for many children. Unfortunately, this picture-perfect
On the second Saturday of May, mail carriers nationwide begin their days like any other Saturday. When the sun rises, they start their trucks to prepare for a long day
Time flies when you’re having fun and making a difference! On April 23, United Food Bank’s volunteer center came alive with upbeat music, laughter, and a powerful sense of purpose
You have probably heard about or even lived the “broke college student” life. This popular stereotype often conjures images of young adults juggling class, checking their bank accounts, and surviving
Before the early morning sun rises, a line forms long before United Food Bank’s doors open for the day. No matter the weather conditions, hundreds of people come together, young
Bill Berry’s life could have ended on the streets. As a young man, Bill Berry enlisted in the U.S. Army, serving as an Airborne combat engineer with the 82nd and
“Family means everything because if you have your family’s support and love, that’s more important than anything, especially out in the world right now.” Growing up in a bustling household
On a beautiful February morning, the courtyard of the Tempe Public Library was filled with the lively sound of music and the loud chatter of shoppers trying to get their
Gilbert needs your help! After wrapping up a busy holiday season, many food pantries throughout Gilbert need help restocking their inventories. From February 10 – 23, Gilbert Feeding Families is
Do you want to make a real difference in your community and help those in need? Launched in September 2024, United Food Bank’s Ambassador Program provides a unique opportunity for
Meet Miria—a fashionista with a heart of gold. Known for her unique sense of style and infectious laughter, Miria is someone you can’t forget. As a young woman, she was
Big changes are happening at United Food Bank and coming to life in full color. If you have been to the volunteer center recently, you may have noticed that the
As 2024 wrapped up, United Food Bank worked tirelessly across Arizona to ensure no one was left behind during the holiday season. On December 20, United Food Bank hosted its
For Christy and Rob Day, a simple meal at a small restaurant in San Carlos turned into the beginning of a life-changing mission. As they left with leftovers in hand,
As the morning sun started to rise, Kolisa ‘Koko’ and her husband were among the first to join the walk-up line at United Food Bank’s Thanksgiving Distribution. Despite the chilly
Thanksgiving is a time to gather around the table with family to share turkey, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie. Yet, for thousands of families in Arizona, the joy of Thanksgiving
While the morning coffee was strong, the spirit of giving was even stronger. On Wednesday, November 13, United Food Bank gathered over 200 community members, volunteers, sponsors, and donors to
Tracy is a devoted mother of two adult children. Her son lives with her, while her daughter resides next door. The family has faced numerous challenges, but their bond and
RISE Grant Success: Abiding Ministries Abiding Ministries, a dedicated food pantry partner of United Food Bank on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, recently received a second $10,000 grant from United
Doing Well While Doing Good: A Win-Win-Win Initiative Have you ever taken a picture of beautifully plated food in one of your favorite restaurants? Instead of letting it sit in
Standing strong on the border of Eloy, Arizona, the efforts of the Community Action Human Resources Agency, or CAHRA, keep their community informed as they provide a variety of programs
Lucy, a determined and compassionate young girl, embarked on a mission that combined her desire for a Nintendo Switch with her passion for helping others. With creativity and a giving
United Food Bank kicked off its ‘Summer of a Million Meals’ campaign with a successful Food Drive Friday! This grand event, held from 7 AM to 7 PM on May
It’s time to shine a spotlight on the hunger heroes behind the scenes at United Food Bank, celebrating Volunteer Appreciation Month! United Food Bank partners with over 120 agencies across
70% of Americans are one paycheck away from a different life. That means all it takes is one unfortunate incident, or one large bill, before having to choose between basic
United Food Bank has a growing list of partners and programs oriented toward increasing food security across Arizona. Leading an incredible team of agency capacity specialists is the new Director
A Heart For The Hungry In a world where hunger knows no boundaries, there are individuals like Sergeant Major Reynaldo Rivera who stand tall as beacons of generosity and compassion.
“It all starts with a nutritious meal, a hot shower, and clean clothes,” states the mission of Paz de Cristo, a partner agency of United Food Bank. For 365 days
“Everyone can do five. You can donate five hours a month, $5 a month, or 5 meals a month, everyone can do five.” Mary Shelby, a former Interior Plantscaper turned
“Thank you so much for talking to me today and for the wonderful Grinch pin. I’m going to wear it all day and on Christmas when I go to California
New Beginnings, Unseen Hardships: The Food Insecurity Dilemma in Arizona In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, a significant number of individuals chose to relocate to Arizona, enticed by its
The rain didn’t stop the spread of holiday cheer on December 20, 2023. Despite the weather conditions, United Food Bank helped more than 1,500 households bring home 104,000 pounds of
For more than 20 years, the Johnjay and Rich #LoveUp Foundation has been granting Christmas wishes to children and families in need across Arizona through its yearly Christmas Wish program.
Who Do We Help? Earlier this fall, we saw a potential government shutdown, leaving many people worrying about the possible loss of a paycheck and requiring them to seek additional
On any given day, the United Food Bank relies on a small army of volunteers to accomplish its mission of uniting communities to alleviate hunger in Arizona and provide nutritious
A Season of Gratitude At United Food Bank, we rely on donors like you to keep our mission alive: to unite communities to alleviate hunger and provide nutritious meals to
Williams Field High School students demonstrate compassion and creativity as they form a sort-of assembly line to unload this Higley Unified School District bus with donated food items for lots
A Feast of Thanks with United Food Bank As the sun rises over Mesa, more than 200 people start waking up to sounds of United Food Bank volunteers tapping on
40 Reasons for 40 Years! Did you know United Food Bank receives most of its entire food supply during the holiday season? ‘Tis the season to give! United Food Bank
It Takes A Village: A New Leaf Autumn House Spotlight As Domestic Violence Awareness Month ushers in October, so does the opportunity to showcase the incredible work of one of
Looking to volunteer but nervous about what the experience entails? Maybe you’re all signed up and wondering what to expect. Read on for a typical shift at one of
With the holiday season almost here, Food Drive Manager Mandy Hodges prepares for her first “giving season” at United Food Bank. She joined the team six months ago, but her
Commodity Senior Food Program Impacts Arizona Seniors Meet Susan Holland; a professional ballerina from St. Louis, Missouri, turned dance studio owner in Mesa, Arizona. Susan and her dog, Teddie, live
Jody Martinez has been with United Food Bank for over a year now. Even though she hasn’t been with us for a long time, she has definitely left her mark
Food Insecurity Can Affect Anyone: Jennifer and Matthew’s Story With the cost of living in Arizona rising higher than most places in the US, many Arizonans struggle to afford basic
From Getting Food Assistance to Leading Food Distributions: Ahmad’s Success Story Meet Ahmad, Executive Assistant at ICNA Relief Arizona. Ahmad knows what it’s like to really need help from an
Partner Agency Spotlight: Imagine Schools at East Mesa When school’s out for summer break, many Arizona children lose access to a reliable source of food—free or reduced-price school meals and
Partner Agency Spotlight: Jose’s Closet and Emma’s Eats Food Pantry ‘If you can’t find it, you create it.’ That’s what Wendy Esquibel, founder of Jose’s Closet and Emma’s Eats Food
From Food Waste to Food Security Food waste makes up about 40% of U.S. landfills. With the population of food insecure Americans rising in the past years, many wonder why
College hunger is a very prevalent issue with lasting impacts on students; however, many colleges and universities do not realize how many of their students are experiencing food insecurity. The
Matthew’s Crossing distributed more pounds of food in 2022 than any other of United Food Bank’s partner agencies. With support from United Food Bank, community members, volunteers and various organizations,
Cheryl Primm was the first to arrive at the 2022 Thanksgiving Distribution AND the 2022 Christmas Distribution put on by United Food Bank. She arrived at both distributions around 3:30
This past summer, thousands of Arizona kids and their families worried about where their next meals were coming from as hunger does not take a summer vacation. In response, United
As Arizona braces for another scorching summer, the community of Mesa is rallying together to ensure that its most vulnerable residents stay hydrated and safe. The 18th Annual Mesa Hydration
It’s almost that time of year, where millions of Americans will come together to participate in Stamp Out Hunger, the nation’s largest single-day food drive! You may have received a
In a heartwarming display of community solidarity, United Food Bank has welcomed 23 new members to its inaugural Million Meals Club! In celebration of its 40th anniversary, United Food Bank
United Food Bank Celebrates 40th Anniversary Since 1983, United Food Bank has been dedicated to uniting communities to alleviate hunger in Arizona. That means, 2023 was United Food Bank’s 40th
United Food Bank Hosts Thanksgiving Distribution Annual Food Distribution for Arizona Families Returns Nov. 20 The holiday season can be a tough time for low-income families, especially those struggling from
United Food Bank Kicks-Off 6th Annual Summer of a Million Meals On Memorial Day, United Food Bank kicked-off their annual Summer of a Million Meals campaign in partnership with Channel
Jason Reed Selected to Lead United Food Bank Mesa, Ariz. (Feb. 22, 2023) – The board of directors of local nonprofit United Food Bank announced Jason Reed as the organization’s
