Food bank now open a 2nd day

As of today F.O.R. Maricopa, the local food bank, will be open from 6-7:30 p.m. every Thursday in addition to its regular Monday hours from 10-11:30 a.m.

“We are seeing 120-150 families each week on Mondays, and not everyone can make a morning during the week. We want to support those who are working and can’t make it then but still need our help during these very difficult economic times. This also gives those who work, who can’t normally make a Monday morning, a chance to volunteer,” said F.O.R. Executive Director Wendy Webb.

Another reason for the additional day, according to Webb, is to “spread out some of the families from Monday morning to Thursday evening so it is not so busy out there on Mondays and the wait is not so long for those that we serve.”

Webb and the food bank volunteers are excited to be able to offer a second day of service, but they need the support of the community to make it happen.

“We would love to have you come and help distribute food.  We will be getting there around 4 or 4:30 p.m. to get things ready and then start handing out food around 6 p.m.  Residents are eligible for non-perishable food items once a month and perishables weekly as available. Clothes and furniture are also provided at times.

Please contact F.O.R. if you think you can help out at 520-251-0226 or by email at [email protected].

In addition to Monday and Thursday food handouts, there are other opportunities to help at FOR:

• People to help pick up food every day at the stores in the community.
• Help answering the food bank phone (it is a cell phone that you carry with you).
• Help writing the newsletter, picking up donations, planning events, etc.

”Just let us know what kind of things you are interested in or what special skills you have, and we will try and find a place for you at F.O.R. Come and see what we are all about and feel great about giving back,” Webb said.

If you go:
What: F.O.R. Maricopa food bank (www.formaricopa.org)
Where: 19235 Gunsmoke (Take Honeycutt Road headed east, past the stop sign at Porter Rd. Go right at the second dirt road which is Gunsmoke for about half a mile to a doublewide trailer on the left. Food is distributed at the back patio door.
When:  Every Monday from 10-11:30 a.m., every Thursday from 6-7:30 p.m.
Phone:  520-251-0226

If you wish to donate food for F.O.R., you can do so at the following local sites:  
America’s Best Karate, 20046 N John Wayne Pkwy, #106, M-F 3-8,Sat 8 to 11    

Arizona Storage Company, 40675 W Honeycutt Rd., Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.                             

Baskin Robbins, 20924 N John Wayne Pkwy, M – S, 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.         

Great Western Bank, 19750 N John Wayne Pkwy. M-Th 9-4, Fri 9-6                                                    

ED-3, 19758 N John Wayne Parkway, M-Fri 8-5 

The Villages @ Rancho El Dorado Clubhouse, 20991 N. Butterfield Pkwy.              
                                                                                   
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