PHOENIX — During these tough economic times, people are increasingly in need of resources to keep their families fed and housed. ABC15 is working to help ensure hunger isn't an issue and assisting families with locating resources.
With expected changes to SNAP benefits creating additional uncertainty, local food banks are preparing for an unprecedented wave of need.
If you are in need of a food bank, Arizona Food Bank Network has a map of all available locations here. Search for more food banks and pantries in your area on FindHelp.org, which also offers a list of resources for transit, health, care, education, work, and more.
Families can also reach out to their child's school district for any food assistance. Many who ABC15 have reached out to said they have resources for their families in need.
Below is a list of state and Valley organizations, as well as local businesses and companies, that are offering help. Many are also looking for community support, if you're able to assist neighbors in need. We'll be adding to this list as we learn more, so please continue to check back.
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If you know of another option that could help members of our community, please let us know by reaching out to share@abc15.com.
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- St. Mary's Food Bank - Phoenix, Surprise, Chinle
- St. Vincent de Paul - Phoenix, Mesa, El Mirage
- St. Vincent de Paul will host a drive-thru emergency food distribution at its main campus parking lot, located at 2120 S. 3rd Dr., Phoenix, AZ 85003, on Saturday, November 1, starting at 7:30 a.m. while supplies last. The event will provide emergency food boxes for families and individuals in need and directly affected by SNAP cuts.
- Phoenix Rescue Mission - Phoenix
- Harvest Compassion Center - Phoenix
- PV Community Food Bank - Phoenix
- United Food Bank - Mesa
- Matthew's Crossing Food Bank - Chandler
- Vineyard Church North Phoenix - Glendale and Surprise
- Valley View Community Food Bank - Sun City
- Foothills Food Bank - Cave Creek and Black Canyon City area
- Mom's Pantry - Phoenix
- Salvation Army - Phoenix
- DoorDash said it will waive delivery and service fees for partner food banks, food pantries and grocers.
- Gopuff is offering up to $50 worth of groceries for free during the month of November to customers who have a SNAP EBT card connected to their account.
- Peter Piper Pizza: Beginning Nov. 3, all Peter Piper Pizza locations in Arizona will offer $2.99 one-topping personal pizzas for kids 15 and under, available Monday through Friday from 2-5 p.m.
- Worth Takeaway is offering free kids meals starting on Nov. 3.
- Thunderbird Lounge is hosting a food drive at the Phoenix bar until December.
- Lovebite Dumplings is offering free meals for anyone with an EBT or SNAP card from November 1-8, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Baked Chemistry Vegan is offering a pay-what-you-can Chemistry Community Plate, a nourishing meal available at Uptown Market and Downtown Phoenix Farmers Market.
- King Pigeon Thrift and Vintage is collecting non-perishable items through November 1. Any donation offers a 10% discount in the store, and a 10-item donation gets you a $10 gift card to the store. Starting at 9 a.m. on Nov. 1, anyone who needs assistance can “come to the shop and pick up a sandwich kit and pick from the non-perishables.”
- Borderlands Produce Rescue in Nogales offers a variety of distribution events and partnerships with organizations, including in areas throughout the Valley. Sign up for a 'drive up and take away event', or even make a donation to get a 25-pound box of produce.
- Macayo’s Mexican Food is partnering with a number of local food banks to offer thousands of vouchers for free cheese crisps, which will be distributed via food banks. “There is no requirement in store, simply order a cheese crisp and present the card to the staff,” Macayo’s says.
- From Oct. 31-Nov. 3, Bashas’ will be donating 20% of profits across all stores to Feeding America food banks in Arizona and New Mexico. Customers can also donate at checkout at Bashas’, Food City, AJ’s Fine Foods, and Basha’s Dine Markets (100% of all cash register donations will go directly to local food banks).
- Arizona Public Service (APS) is donating $1 million to Arizona food banks to support families in need, as well as increasing volunteer efforts.
- Just Ask Mia: Families can visit JustAskMia.org or text “Family/Familia” to 877-558-2261 to get instant, location-based referrals, in English or Spanish, to nearby food banks, pantries, hot meal sites, diaper banks, and family resource centers. Just Ask Mia never collects personal data and is designed for quick, barrier-free access to local support.
- The Arizona Secretary of State’s office and Local First Arizona have compiled a website listing local businesses that are stepping up to help people in need of a meal. See the site here.
- RigaTony's Authentic Italian will serve an additional SNAP family in your name when you donate $10. You can donate at the restaurant or on their website.
- Carl's Jr: More than 55 Carl's Jr. locations in Arizona, StarCorp, LLC, a local Carl’s Jr. franchisee, has launched a $1 Meal Deal to support those affected. Starting Nov. 5 Carl's Jr. is offering a Kid's Hamburger plus a small fry and Kid's drink for only $1 to families and government employees affected by the shutdown. To be eligible for this $1 Meal Deal, customers will need to provide one of the following: Federal government employee ID, Military ID, or SNAP or EBT card. This offer is available now through the end of the government shutdown at select franchisees in Arizona.
- Navajo Nation resources: The Navajo Nation Council has launched a public website with food access information, including distribution locations and a calendar.
The Tempe Community Action Agency, which runs a food bank and serves East Valley residents experiencing food insecurity, has a food pantry set up for those in need of food assistance.
If you know of another option that could help the community, please let us know by reaching out to share@abc15.com.