Local churches compete to stock local food bank

The shelves are empty and the cupboards are bare at F. O. R. Maricopa food bank.

F.O.R. (Food, Opportunity, Resources) has been in existence since May 2007. Since then Director Wendy Webb and her team have fed, clothed and provided holiday meals and gifts for more than 200 families in Maricopa, but the need keeps growing.

“The number of families has continued to grow as economic conditions have become more difficult,” explained Webb. “And summer is always the toughest time for food banks,” she added.

Some local churches are trying to help restock the shelves by participating in a friendly competition during the entire month of August to see who can bring in the most food. The final accounting will be Monday, Sept. 1, with a total goal of 2,000 pounds of food.

On Sept. 7 Maricopa Community Church will host an ice cream social from 3:30-5 p.m. to celebrate the successful food drive. The entry fee will be a can of food.

Maricopans can help by dropping off their food donations at the Chamber of Commerce, Duderbugs, AmTrust Bank, Great Western Bank, America’s Best Karate, Just a Buck-plus, Mr. Dave’s Dollar and More, New Home Center, Fahrenheit Tanning or Secondhand Pages. The food bank, 19235 Gunsmoke Rd., is open Mondays from 10-11:30 a.m. for donations.

All food is welcome, but items that are desperately needed include: tomato sauce, soup, peanut butter, cereal, dry beans or rice (bulk bags accepted), house cleaning products and personal hygiene items.

“Food is coming in, but not as fast as we are handing it out,” Webb said. She encourages residents to attach food donations to events as an entrance fee or to challenge groups of friends or neighbors to participate in the food drive.

For information contact Webb at (520) 251-0226.

Submitted photo