Here are 5 ways you can help fight food insecurity in metro Phoenix this Thanksgiving
Endia Fontanez
Thanksgiving season, for many, is a time for giving back to our communities through volunteer work or donation drives.
While having a homemade meal is tradition for many on Thanksgiving, there are many Arizonans who face food insecurity throughout the year andare unable to afford ingredients like turkey and stuffing for the holiday. Organization across the Valley are stepping up to provide Thanksgiving meals to as many Arizonans in need as possible.
Here are five ways you can help.
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The Salvation Army's Annual Thanksgiving Dinner
The Salvation Army is continuing its longtime holiday tradition this year by holding its annual Thanksgiving dinner at 11:30 a.m. on Nov. 23.
The organization is looking for volunteers to help with cooking, packing and plating meals, decorating, cleaning up, greeting and serving guests and delivering cooked meals to those who cannot attend the celebration in person.
Additionally, if you own a business or other organization, consider sponsoring a table at the event. Your name or logo will be posted on each of your sponsored tables as well as on other signage around the event.
Details: Phoenix Convention Center, 100 N. Third St., Phoenix. salvationarmyphoenix.org/annual-thanksgiving-dinner.
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Phoenix Rescue Mission "Hungry for Change"
Phoenix Rescue Mission is hosting its annual "Hungry for Change" series of holiday volunteer opportunities.
Saturday, Nov. 18 is the Mission's Public Thanksgiving Outreach Event. Turkeys and sides will be delivered as well as food bags and hygiene kits on a first-come, first-served basis from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sullivan Elementary School, located at 2 N. 31st Avenue.
The Phoenix Rescue Mission is looking for volunteers to assist in handing out supplies at the Nov. 18 event. If you are interested, you can sign up at phxmission.org/volunteer.
Details: Sullivan Elementary School, 2 N. 31st Ave., Phoenix. phoenixrescuemission.org/thanksgiving
St. Mary's Food Bank
Volunteer year-round at one of St. Mary's client distribution or emergency food box packing events. Every Monday to Saturday, St. Mary's in Phoenix invites volunteers to package and deliver boxes of healthy food to community members in need.
In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, St. Mary's will be distributing turkeys to families in need from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 20 through Wednesday, Nov. 22. Volunteers are needed to assist with traffic, loading cars and packing bags.
Find a day and time that works for you and sign up to volunteer at stmarysfoodbank.volunteerhub.com.
Details: 3131 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix. firstfoodbank.org/get-involved.
Turkey Tuesday Food Drive
The city of Mesa's engineering department hosted its 15th annual Turkey drive with help from United Food Bank at the Mesa Convention Center. If you didn't make it to the turkey drive, you can also make a monetary donation online anytime at feedaz.org.
Details: Mesa Convention Center, 40 E. 3rd Place, Mesa. mesachamber.org.
St. Vincent De Paul
St. Vincent De Paul's annual Thanksgiving campaign is well underway. Now through Nov. 23, make a donation online to help give food to a family in need during the holidays at stvincentdepaul.net.
The organization's goal is $250,000. The money will go toward this year's Thanksgiving meal service, taking place in each of St. Vincent De Paul's five dining rooms across the Valley.
Sign up online to volunteer at your local St. Vincent De Paul location. The organization's website says it is looking for volunteers for all days of the holiday season.
Details: Multiple dates and locations. stvincentdepaul.net/volunteer.
Reach the reporter at endia.fontanez@gannett.com. Follow @EndiaFontanez on X, formerly Twitter.
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