Maricopa Pantry Fire 03-28-22 (30)
The Maricopa Pantry food bank in Hidden Valley was destroyed by fire Monday. Due to damage at the site, the Alcoholics Anonymous meetings held at the adjacent Mountain View Community Church now need a new location. [Bryan Mordt photo]

Update, Wednesday 6:56 p.m.

The Alcoholics Anonymous group met Tuesday night on the church porch, Michael Connelly, an elder at Mountain View Community Church, told InMaricopa on Wednesday after this story posted. Power will be restored at the church on Thursday and there is no damage to the church, he said, adding he spoke with Beth Megenhardt on Wednesday evening to inform her that meetings can resume Friday. Sunday service will continue as normal at 10 a.m., he said. The story has been updated.

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The local chapter of Alcoholics Anonymous will be able to meet again inside Mountain View Community Church on Friday, an elder of the church said Wednesday night.

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Monday’s devastating fire at the Maricopa Pantry food bank at the church on West Papago Road in Hidden Valley meant AA members met on the church porch, said elder Michael Connelly, who is president of Maricopa Pantry. The organization meets there on Tuesdays and Fridays.

Power will be restored at the church on Thursday and there was no fire damage to the church, Connelly said. He said he spoke with Beth Megenhardt, a member of the Maricopa AA group, on Wednesday evening to inform her that meetings can resume Friday.

Sunday service will continue as normal at 10 a.m., he said.

AA recently had to cancel two weekly meetings after losing meeting space at Community of Hope Church due to an increase in congregational activity, Megenhardt said.

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