St. Mary’s Food Bank helps feed neighbors in need throughout the state.

Amy Matthews/St. Mary

During the government shutdown, the city of Phoenix is stepping up and working with a local nonprofit to help families who have recently lost their SNAP benefits. 

The city is partnering with St. Mary’s Food Bank to launch a citywide food drive to ensure residents can access nutritious meals. 

“When crisis strikes, Phoenix comes together to help,” Mayor Kate Gallego said. “During this unprecedented emergency, I urge everyone who can help to step up. Donate food, send money, give your time to help your neighbors who have temporarily lost their lifeline.”

The SNAP benefit cut comes after the Trump administration said they would pay about half of the SNAP benefits, and then the next day, rescinded that offer. The funding continues to be pulled back and forth in court. SNAP, or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, provides money for low-income families to buy food. 

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With federal assistance currently nowhere to be seen, residents who rely on the funds worry about where to get their next meal as state and local agencies jump to fill in the gap left by the Trump Administration. 

For the citywide food drive, the items most needed include proteins like canned meats and beans, peanut butter and canned fruits and vegetables.

If you are looking to make a donation from your couch, you can donate online on St. Mary’s Food Bank’s donation page. St. Mary’s Food Bank says one dollar can provide an estimated ten meals for a food bank.

Food donations can be dropped off at a variety of city and St. Mary’s facilities during business hours:

City of Phoenix donation locations:

  • Burton Barr Central Library
    • 1221 N. Central Ave. 
    • Monday – Saturday 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Sunday 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Cesar Chavez Community Center
    • 7858 S. 35th Ave., Laveen Village
    • Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday – Saturday, 9 a.m. -5 p.m.
  • Goelet A.C. Beuf Community Center
    • 3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Road 
    • Monday – Thursday, 8 a.m. – 8:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • Paradise Valley Community Center
    • 17402 N. 40th St.
    • Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Pecos Community Center
    • 17010 S. 48th St.
    • Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • Sunnyslope Community Center
    • 802 E. Vogel Ave.
    • Monday – Thursday, 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

St. Mary’s food pantries:

  • CPLC Community Center
  • City Hope
  • Church for the Nations
  • FIBCO Family Services Inc. (Human Services Program)
  • Legendarios
  • MCCC Gateway Community College
  • Ministerio Cristo Sana
  • St Stephen’s Episcopal Church
  • SVDP Our Lady of the Valley
  • MCCCD Phoenix College