If you didn't catch it last week, my editorial calendar is a bit out of order this month. I did that on purpose because I wanted to time this blog differently. Each summer, United Food Bank kicks off a food drive event called Christmas in July. Here's three reasons you should get involved.
If you live anywhere in the southeast Valley of the Sun, you live in United Food Bank's service area. If you're like me, you've probably seen the St. Mary's Food Bank trucks around Tempe and Chandler in the past and assumed you were helping your neighbors. If you're like me, though, you'd be wrong. Yes, you're helping people, but St. Mary's doesn't service the southeast valley. If you live in Tempe, Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Apache Junction, or any other part of United Food Bank's very large service area and want to help your neighbors, you want to check the donation box for the United Food Bank logo.
I didn't know this until recently, but the Food Bank's meal output increases significantly in the summer. It's because during the school year, families that are enrolled in free or reduced lunch programs no longer have access to the meals provided by that program once school goes on break. That means that, if they're already struggling, they need to get additional meals during the summer.
Many of us go out of town to escape the heat or get away and enjoy family vacations. If we're not here in the valley, we're not able to donate. United Food Bank's supply dwindles during the summer months because of a large reduction in the number of donations coming in.
If you want to help, send us an email. We'll have a collection box has been set up at our office. Feel free to drop in, say hi, and leave a can or two of non-perishable food. Click here for more information about the Christmas in July Food Drive.