Maricopa Pantry gave away more than $1,300 in its first of many monthly raffles last night at Raceway Bar and Grill.
The food bank plans to host the 50-50 raffle at the restaurant on the last Thursday of each month to raise funds for a permanent home in Hidden Valley.
Last year, founder and CEO Jim Shoaf said he needed $206,000 to break ground on a building that will combine a food bank and event space, as well as services for housing assistance, substance abuse and free legal advice.
As of today, Shoaf said the food bank now needs $175,000 to make that goal and keep the mobile food bank running. It’s a needed milestone for the $2.5 million project.
“We’re serving 1,900 people a week right now and our weekly donations are between $275 and $350,” Shoaf told InMaricopa. “I’m spending more than that on diesel fuel, so I’m trying to offset the costs with the raffle. That should help us keep this thing up and running while we’re getting ready to build and not tap into our building fund.”
That’s where the raffle steps in. Sunday’s drawing generated $2,720, meaning Maricopa Pantry and winner Chris Hawthorne took home $1,360 each.
Shoaf said if raffle sales go well and permits are approved, he wants to break ground in November.
Tickets cost $20 each and can be purchased at Raceway Bar and Grill, 49237 W. Papago Road.
