Over the past several weeks, companies furloughed or laid off millions of people. Trying to make ends meet just got a little harder. Where do people turn to when they can't afford to put food on the table and pay to keep a roof over their heads? Food pantries. Recent events placed an even heavier burden on an already overburdened food pantry system, though. With more and more people seeking out food to get through the week, our local Tucson food bank asks for your help to assist those in need.
Tucson Food Bank Needs Your Help
Volunteer
Currently, Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona (our local Tucson food bank) distributes food to around 2,000 households every week. That's approximately 1,000 every Tuesday and Thursday mornings. To accomplish this huge feat each week, they need about 50 people to help the food bank's staff.
Volunteers meet at Kino Stadium early on Tuesday or Thursday. Distribution begins at 6:30 am and continues through 10:30 am. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all volunteers must wear a mask. This totally contactless system means that the recipient stays in their car while the volunteer loads it up. You will be working outside in the heat. And boxes can get a little heavy. So, be prepared. Also, volunteers maintain a six foot social distance between each other. Food bank staff take volunteers' temperatures before each shift, too. If you're interested in signing up your club, company staff, family or yourself to help with a shift or two, please email Community Food Bank's volunteer coordinator at volunteer@communityfoodbank.org.
Donate
Can't volunteer but still want to help out the food bank? Donate money online via either a one-time or monthly donation. Normally, the food bank also accepts food donations in person at their Tucson offices. However, due to COVID-19 concerns, in-person food donations require quarantine and disinfection. That takes up valuable time for staff. Instead, they ask that you either donate online or consider hosting a virtual food drive with friends, family, and co-workers. Whatever you can do is greatly appreciated.
Rebecca Schulte, Schulte Real Estate Group, Your Source for Tucson Real Estate
