ABOUT HUNGER IN THE VERDE VALLEY

Hunger comes in many shapes and sizes. Children. Seniors. Persons recently unemployed. Long time residents. Homeless camped in the desert. Persons looking for a job. Persons homebound by age, disability or inadequate transportation. 73,000 persons live in the Verde Valley. More than 9,000 neighbors experience the need for emergency food during the course of a year.

• 4,000 are children or seniors;

• 15% of families report their children skipped meals because there was not enough money;

• 42% are White; 41% Hispanic; 9% Black; 7% Native American;

• 100% experience “not enough food” on an on-going basis -- 24/7, 365.

These are our neighbors. They are often hidden. They shop at food banks and free meal programs. They use the services of meals on wheels and other community programs. There is never enough money for them to frequent Safeway or Frys regularly.

Hunger is more than food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas. For many it is a constant reminder of too little income, jobs that pay minimum wage, and rising prices. Hunger is 24/7. 365 days.   And nights.

Last year tons of food were distributed by our Valley’s food banks. Most of it is supplied by St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix and supplemented by local donations. Committed volunteers stock the shelves and distribute food boxes. More food and volunteer help is always needed. But the pressing need is for cash donations that can be used to buy produce and meat in larger quantities and at greatly discounted prices.

“Everybody Eats” is our commitment to eradicating hunger. Your gifts of food, volunteer time, and money can make the vision reality.

If not now, when?

For more information about hunger in Arizona go to: www.azfoodbanks.org

www.feedingamerica.org

www.firstfoodbank.org