The Scottsdale Food Bank has made a significant expansion by relocating to a 5,066-square-foot warehouse on East McKellips Road, a move that allows them to serve a greater number of households facing food insecurity. According to the City of Scottsdale recent announcement, the new location means they can now serve up to 20 households each day, a substantial increase from the six households at their previous Vista del Camino Community Center spot, and with the new facility comes new partnerships and programs aimed at helping more people in the community.
Expanding its ties with St. Mary's Food Bank, St. Vincent de Paul, and nearby grocery stores, the food bank is widening the range of fresh food on offer to those in need; in the 2024-25 fiscal year, almost $1 million worth of food was distributed up from $640,000 in the previous year, and these numbers are likely to rise with the expanded space and increased capacity they have now. The Scottsdale Food Bank's programs, including the Brown Bag Program which has shifted to the new warehouse from the Granite Reef Senior Center and the Healthy Pack Program targeting students in the Scottsdale Unified School District, are also seeing a boost, with weekly distributions rising from 350 to 400 packs, as reported by the City of Scottsdale.
In their mission to meet the rising demand, additional features such as a community garden and covered patio are in the pipeline, the organization is also calling for volunteers to step forward and assist in their growing services. "Get involved, give back and help neighbors in our community with food insecurity," urged Human Services Supervisor Jonathan Montoya in a statement meant to encourage community participation, as stated by the City of Scottsdale.
For those interested in volunteering, details can be found by visiting the ScottsdaleAZ.gov website and searching for "Volunteer Opportunities"; as the need for community support is clear with the food bank's services available only by appointment, scheduled either via a visit to the Vista del Camino Community Center or by calling 480-312-2323, the food bank itself welcomes pickups from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, excluding holidays at the new 7601 E. McKellips Road facility, as per the City of Scottsdale.
