Desert Mission Food Bank in north Phoenix is seeing high demand, with about 6,000 people seeking help each month, triple previous levels. The food bank, part of HonorHealth, needs around 30 volunteers daily, or 135 per week, to sort food and assist families. The shortage is worse in summer as students return to school and seasonal volunteers are not in the area. Krystina Toscas, Engagement Manager, said "every hand makes a difference," according to ABC15.
Desert Mission offers several volunteering opportunities, including shifts at the food bank, help at special events, and roles in the Adult Day Health Care and Lincoln Learning Center programs. Some activities require a fingerprint clearance card. Volunteers planning to help more than four times a year should complete the online "Volunteer onboarding sign-up" form on the Desert Mission website.
Volunteers can sign up for upcoming events like the 2025 Walk-up Turkey Distribution and the 2025 Holiday Adopt a Family program. Tasks include setup, clean-up, distributing Thanksgiving groceries, and assisting with holiday gifts. More details and sign-up options will be available soon on the food bank’s volunteering page.
