Helping Our Neighbors: Options for Donations in Central Arizona

SUPPORT IGLESIA CHRISTIANA EL BUEN PASTORE An East Valley Network sister congregation, Iglesia Christiana el Buen Pastore, is experiencing great hardship. Many of their parishioners have been laid off and are in great need of food donations. The worship communities in the East Valley Network have been asked to consider purchasing gift cards at Food City and Walmart to be handed out to the parishioners of Iglesia Christiana el Buen Pastore. Cards can be dropped off or mailed to University Presbyterian Church 139 E Alameda Dr, Tempe, AZ, 85282. Mark the envelope “el Buen.” If you are dropping off an envelope, please drop it in the mailbox in the office door.

NOURISH OUR NATIONS TRIBAL COMMUNITY EMERGENCY FOOD BOXES. Our mission is to bring nourishment to the many nations that call Arizona home. If you'd like to help us finance this dream of Nourishing Our Nations, feel free to make a monetary donation on our GoFundMe at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/nourish-our-nations-arizona If you can donate any disinfectant or sanitizing equipment, we could use the donation, we also need plastic wrap, Ziploc bags, and masks -- just bring it by Operation Big Serve at 911 E. Main St, Mesa, AZ.

ALBERTSONS AND SAFEWAY HOST 'NEIGHBORS-HELPING-NEIGHBORS' FOOD DRIVE. Arizona’s Family, Albertsons and Safeway want to help alleviate that need with the NeighborsHelping-Neighbors food drive. Starting April 1, Albertsons and Safeway will collect monetary donations via the register pin pad. These donations will benefit nonprofits that provide food to Arizonans in need. Donations will help stock food pantries, fill food boxes and provide meals to the state’s most vulnerable friends and neighbors. The grocery chain will also be accepting online donations from April 1 through April 30. If you can, please consider making a donation.

PHOENIX RESCUE MISSION Phoenix Rescue Mission's Hope for Hunger Food Bank is in desperate need of food supplies and is asking for donations. The Hope for Hunger Food Bank says it had to turn people away after serving double the regular number of households last week. Click here for the Mission's wish list. Phoenix Rescue Mission is also asking for cash donations, which you can make online here.

ST. VINCENT DE PAUL St. Vincent de Paul is asking for specific donations. They modified their services so they can continue to provide critical resources in responsible ways. They need volunteers, monetary donations, non-perishable food donations, underwear, and socks. The needs continue to evolve as do the volunteer procedures. More information can be found here.

HONORHEALTH DESERT MISSION FOOD BANK Regular volunteers are scarce right now primarily because most volunteers are elderly and most vulnerable right now. Additionally, corporate and school partners are all practicing social distancing and limiting offsite activities. Having an adequate number of volunteers is essential to operations running smoothly. Of course, another critical need is food. Donations are on a steady decline with less food available through grocery rescue programs and community members being less likely to part with food at this uncertain time. HonorHealth is also in need of monetary support in place of donated food they are not receiving. To make a donation, please visit desertmission.com/donate.

VALLEY OF THE SUN UNITED WAY Valley of the Sun United Way has launched the United for the Valley COVID-19 Fund. This fund offers support for Maricopa County families and individuals impacted by the coronavirus. This includes lapses in food, income, childcare, and more. Valley of the Sun United Way is working with local foundations, businesses, media organizations and others to create the new ‘United for the Valley COVID-19 Fund’, which its local health and human services and education nonprofits, and school partners, will be able to utilize to address the county’s most pressing needs. To contribute to the Arizona Community Foundation, visit: www.azfoundation.org/covid19. https://vsuw.org/covid19fund or text UnitedFund to 51555

MESA UNITED WAY Mesa United Way has also launched a fund specific to needs in that community and is collaborating with the ‘United for the Valley COVID-19 Fund’ to ensure a community-wide response. If you live in Mesa and would like to donate to that fund, visit www.mesaunitedway.org

KITCHEN ON THE STREET Many schools have pick-up options for breakfast/lunch. KitchenOnTheStreet.org is working to coordinate the distribution of weekend ‘Bags on Fridays’ to students enrolled in the program. But there have been many additional requests for family assistance. You can help by donating food or funds online through the virtual food drive. Kitchen on the Street is a qualifying charity for the Charitable Tax Credit.