Sun Citians share blessings

Sun Citians Eugene and Valeri Difondi drove to the Valley View Community Food Bank in their min-van Monday with 100 turkeys.

Today, the couple will return with 100 more.

"We’re blessed, so we thought it was important for us to share," Eugene Difondi said.

The Difondis are just two of many people donating turkeys to local food banks in time for Thanksgiving.

With the economic downturn, West Valley food banks are expecting an even bigger demand as individuals request food boxes to feed their families.

"It’s tough for people right now and we want to do anything we can to help," said Difondi, a retired veteran who bought the turkeys from the commissary at Luke Air Force Base.

Jesse Ramirez, executive director of Valley View in Youngtown, said he appreciates the help from the Difondis, but needs even more donations.

Ramirez said he has more than 600 turkeys, but must have at least 3,500 for this year’s holiday food box program, which begins at 8 a.m. Monday. He expects to make more than 3,000 boxes and use some of the items for next Thursday’s dinner at New Joy Ministries.

"We’re trying to do all that we can to help people in these difficult times," he said.

Each of the boxes will have perishable and nonperishable foods, including a turkey.

In order to meet its goal, Ramirez said there is an ongoing drive at the food bank, 11114 W. Nevada Ave., Youngtown, along with other turkey drop-offs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Berean Christian Bookstore, 7401 W. Bell Road, Peoria, and Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Church, 14650 W. Bell Road, Surprise.

Valley View Food Bank also has food donation dropoff boxes at Bashas’, 13940 W. Meeker Blvd., and Our Lady of Lourdes, 19002 N. 14818 W. 128th Ave., and Prince of Peace Catholic Church, Deer Valley Road, all in Sun City West.

Nonperishables also may be donated at the Daily News-Sun, 10102 W. Santa Fe Drive, Sun City.

St. Mary’s Alliance Food Bank will conduct its third annual "Super Saturday" Turkey Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at Albertsons Deer Valley, 8240 W. Deer Valley Road, Peoria; Albertsons Surprise, 16750 W. Bell Road; and St. Mary’s Westside Facility, 13050 W. Elm St., Surprise.

Beverly Damore, a spokeswoman for St. Mary’s, said the food bank anticipates requests of 26,000 food boxes for Thanksgiving..

"We want to make sure that we’re prepared and can help as many people as possible," Damore said.

"The economic times are making it difficult to supply a nice dinner for some families when "other bills must be paid."

"When you have to decide whether to keep your lights or to have a nice meal your family, that’s when things get really tough," she said.

Mitchell Vantrease may be reached at 623-876-2526 or mvantrease@yourwestvalley.com.