PHOENIX — The city of Phoenix recently launched a citywide food drive to help offset federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits being suspended due to the ongoing government shutdown.

The city is partnering with St. Mary’s Food Bank for the food drive called PHX Hunger Relief, which is meant to ensure that residents are able to access nutritious meals.

“When crisis strikes, Phoenix comes together to help,” Mayor Kate Gallego said in an announcement. “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.”

Details on citywide food drive to offset SNAP suspension

For food donations the city asked that Arizonans ensure all items are non-perishable and unopened. It also recommended checking the items’ expiration dates and package integrity.

The drive’s website said that the foods the community requests the most include canned vegetables and fruits, canned beans and legumes, canned tuna, chicken or other protein, peanut butter or other nut butters, canned stews, rice, pasta, grains, cereals, oatmeal, baby formula and baby food.

City facilities will be accepting food donations during their business hours.

Here are a list of the facilities and their hours:

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

Residents are also able to drop their food donations off at St. Food Mary’s Food Bank locations, including:

  • CPLC Community Center, located at 3216 W. Van Buren Street
  • City Hope, located at 1650 W. Camelback Road
  • Church for the Nations, located at 6225 N. Central Avenue
  • FIBICO Family Services Inc. (Human Services Program), located 1141 E. Jefferson Street
  • Legendarios, located at 2234 W. Campbell Avenue
  • MCCC Gateway Community College, located at 108 N. 40th Street
  • Ministerio Cristo Sana, located at 3632 E. Greenway Road
  • St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, located at 2310 N. 56th Street
  • SVDP Our Lady of the Valley, located at 3220 W. Greenway Road
  • MCCCD Phoenix College, located at 1202 W. Thomas Road.

The city noted that monetary donations are encouraged as food banks are able to stretch money through bulk purchasing, tax exemptions and dollar matches from the community. It added that a food bank can turn one dollar into ten meals.

If you are dealing with food insecurity or want to help those who are, the Arizona Food Bank Network website has a list of available resources, including a database of food banks, pantries and soup kitchens that serve people in need and accept donations. Additionally, donations can be made by texting “food” to 620620.

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