In an effort to combat food insecurity in Arizona, the Phoenix Fire Department is teaming up with St. Mary’s Food Bank for its first-ever Holiday Food Drive. The initiative, running from December 6 through December 12, aims to gather non-perishable food items for local families in need, especially as the holiday season ramps up and demand grows. “We know the holidays can be a challenge for many community members," Phoenix Fire Chief Mike Duran stated in a release. "We are excited to launch our inaugural Holiday Food Drive and partner with St. Mary’s Food Bank. As firefighters, we always want to help whenever we can, however we can," as stated by the Phoenix Fire Department.
This new drive seeks to make it easier for Arizonians to help downright make a difference as they can drop off their donations at various fire stations across Phoenix. The requested food items include canned vegetables and fruits, peanut butter, boxed meals, canned proteins, and cereals. Donors are asked to check that all items are not past their expiration dates and remain sealed. Convenient drop-off bins can be found at eight identified fire stations throughout the city, as reported by the Phoenix Fire Department.
Emphasizing the importance of community participation, St. Mary’s Food Bank highlights that even the smallest contributions can significantly impact those struggling with food access during the holidays. The food bank, with a track record of providing dietary staples to less fortunate households, views this partnership as a critical extension of its ongoing mission to fight hunger, as per the Phoenix Fire Department.
Residents interested in participating can find bins at strategic locations including Fire Station 9 on East Fairmount Avenue and Fire Station 12 on North 32nd Street, among others. The full list of drop-off sites is available on the Phoenix Fire Department's announcement page. As the holidays draw near, the fire department is proud to facilitate an avenue for community members to provide aid and essentially keep the spirit of giving alight.
