St. Mary's Food Bank delivers 15 million pounds of food in West Valley

The St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance’s locations in Surprise and Glendale teamed to distribute more than 15 million pounds of food this past year in the Sun Cities and throughout the West Valley.

The Westside distribution total is part of the food bank’s overall total of 67.7 million pounds distributed in the fiscal year that ended June 30. The total represents an all-time record for St. Mary’s, is a 56 percent increase over 2007-08 and is the most food distributed by any food bank in the United States for the year, officials said.

In addition to gleaning more than 2 million pounds of produce from the trees of Sun City and Surprise residents during the winter, the two Westside locations distributed more than 100,000 emergency food boxes to those in need. according to food bank statistics.

Much of the 15 million pounds of food was received by more than 40 member agencies in Sun City, Sun City West, Surprise and other West Valley cities, officials said.

Agencies partnering with St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance in Surprise include The Foundation for Senior Living, City of Surprise Human Services Department and the Department of Economic Security. Sun City and Sun City West agencies who partner with St. Mary’s include the Banner Olive Branch Senior Center, the Sun City Salvation Army, St. Vincent de Paul and Deer Valley Gardens.

"The Food Bank has always been proud of the role it plays on the Westside, and we are grateful for the community’s support, which allows us to do what we do," said Terry Shannon, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance. "And while we hope for better economic times ahead, St. Mary’s is strongly committed to serving the West Valley through our resources and outreach, just as we have done for 42 years."