St. Mary's Food Bank runs an amazing volunteer program! I coordinate events at St. Mary's for one of the largest employers in Arizona and the feedback that I get from volunteers is consistent - events are well ran, productive and everyone feels like they are contributing to something that makes a difference in the world. This has always been my experience as well. Great people doing great things for the community. I love St. Mary's Food Bank!!
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- EIN 23-7353532
- 602-242-3663
- 2831 N 31st Ave Phoenix AZ 85009 USA
- StMarysFoodBank.org
- Facebook page
- StMarysFoodBank
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St. Mary's Food Bank runs an amazing volunteer program! I coordinate events at St. Mary's for one of the largest employers in Arizona and the feedback that I get from volunteers is consistent - events are well ran, productive and everyone feels like they are contributing to
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AZGuyAM, Volunteer
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Nonprofit Overview
Causes: Food, Food Banks & Pantries
Mission: To alleviate hunger through the gathering and distribution of food while encouraging self-sufficiency, collaboration, advocacy and education. John van Hengel founded the world's first food bank, St. Mary’s, in 1967. He had been volunteering at the St. Vincent DePaul soup kitchen, serving dinner to those in need when a young mother told him that she depended on soup kitchens and food from grocery store dumpsters to feed her children. Van Hengel’s heart was broken. His conversation with the young woman ignited a desire to help hungry families like hers, Van Hengel came up with the idea of a food bank, where individuals and companies with excess money and food could “deposit” it, and those in need could “withdraw” it. His local parish, St. Mary’s Basilica, gave him $3,000 and an abandoned building where he was able to turn his dream into reality, and in gratitude, he named his organization “St. Mary’s.” Inspired by his accomplishments, cities nationwide began opening food banks to feed those in need. Van Hengel’s devotion to feeding the hungry has inspired the opening thousands of food banks around the world. Today, St. Mary’s Food Bank is one of the largest food banks in the United States, and proud of the impact it has had on Arizona — and the world.
Results: The Food Bank distributed more than 90 million pounds of food in 2019 with a goal of 100 million by 2021 to meets the needs of the Arizona's hungry, working-poor families, children, and seniors.
Target demographics: Hunger & Homelessness
Geographic areas served: Our primary service area covers 81,000 square miles and includes two-thirds of Maricopa County and all of Northern Arizona, including Yavapai, Gila, Coconino, Apache, Navajo, and Mohave Counties.
Programs: Del Webb Warehouse Pack & Sort, Knight Transportation Distribution Center, Community Kitchen, CK Catering, Hunger Heroes, Mobile Pantry, Citrus Gleaners, Kids Cafe and our Backpack program. Food is dispersed throughout the state through more than 600 partner agencies.