PHOENIX — As the holiday season approaches, Valley food banks are preparing to feed families in need, but say they are short on donations and hoping you’ll help.
Here are some ways you can donate or volunteer in the Valley, as well as events where you can receive food boxes:
Chandler Unified School District's CARE Center
Part of the Chandler Unified School District, the non-profit works year-round to provide free medical, dental and mental health services to take the strain off parents so kids can focus on staying in school. They also operate a year-round food bank and are working to provide special food boxes for Thanksgiving so families have all the ingredients they need to create a traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings.
They've collected boxes of donations but are still falling short of being able to provide for the 400 families they aim to help. The greatest need is for frozen turkeys, instant potatoes, canned veggies, and cake mixes.
Donations need to be delivered by Friday, Nov. 17 to the CARE Center at 777 E. Galveston Rd. (near McQueen & Ray roads in Chandler) Hours: Wed/Thurs 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Friday 7:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. Visit their website for more details.
Phoenix Rescue Mission
To donate or volunteer at Phoenix Rescue Mission or these events, click here.
- Frozen Turkey Week: Stop by the drive-thru event from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. through Nov. 11 at the Hope for Hunger Food Bank (5605 N. 55th Ave.) to donate frozen turkeys or non-perishable Thanksgiving foods.
- West Phoenix Mobile Pantry: On Nov. 11, the mobile pantry will be at Ministerio Un Ejercito Para Cristo (4013 W. Maricopa St.) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., or as long as supplies last, to provide families with non-perishable foods and hygiene supplies.
- South Mountain Mobile Pantry: The public is encouraged to stop by First New Life Church (1902 W. Roeser Rd) on Nov. 21 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., or until supplies last, to get food bags, hygiene items and cleaning supplies. There is no cost to participate. ID is required.
- Public Thanksgiving Outreach Event: On Nov. 18, the annual drive-thru event at Sullivan Elementary School (2 N. 31st Ave.) will distribute turkeys and sides, food bags, and hygiene kits. There is no registration required and first come are first served from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or as long as supplies last.
St. Mary’s Food Bank
To donate or volunteer at St. Mary's Food Bank or these events, click here.
- General holiday donations: You can drop off turkey donations from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at locations in Phoenix (2831 N. 31st Ave.) and Surprise (13050 West Elm St.)
- Super Saturday Turkey Drive: On Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., donate frozen turkeys, non-perishable holiday dinner items, or cash donations.
St. Mary's Food Bank - Turkey distribution: On Nov. 20-22 (from 8 a.m. to noon on Monday and Tuesday, and 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Wednesday), stop by the Phoenix or Surprise locations with your ID to receive a holiday meal box.
Phoenix Police Department’s Desert Horizon Precinct Thanksgiving Turkey Drive
Donations supporting St. Mary’s Food Bank holiday efforts can be dropped off in person at the Desert Horizon Precinct (16030 N. 56th St., Scottsdale) from Nov. 9-20 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.
There is also a QR code available, included below, where community members can make a digital donation:
United Food Bank
To donate or volunteer at United Food Bank or these events, click here.
- Food Distribution: From Nov. 20, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. or while supplies last, at Mesa Convention Center.
City of Mesa
The City of Mesa is partnering with United Food Bank for Turkey Tuesday on Nov. 14 at the Mesa Convention Center North Parking Lot (40 E. 3rd Pl.), from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. In addition to turkeys, city employees will also be collecting canned goods and cash donations to help benefit United Food Bank. Monetary donations can be made online here.
7th Annual Healthy Fall Festival & Turkey Giveaway
From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 11 at Lowell Elementary School (1121 S. 3rd Ave., Phoenix) there will be a community celebration to kick off the holiday season. There will be immunizations, health education sessions, healthy food bags with turkeys, health testing, and more. There will be 1,500 turkeys given away at the event.
20th Annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway
HeroZona Foundation and Sons of the American Legion are excited to announce the 20th annual Thanksgiving Turkey Giveaway on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. During the event, families in need will receive free turkeys at the Travis L. Williams American Legion Post 65 (1624 E. Broadway Rd.) There will be a limit of one frozen turkey per family with no income requirements or ID necessary, while supplies last.
