TL/DR –
United Food Bank, a nonprofit based in Mesa, celebrated its 40th year providing food assistance to communities in Arizona. Marking the anniversary, the organization revealed a new logo, hosted an appreciation event for volunteers and partners that raised over $40,000, and presented special awards to donors who have supported over a million meals. Over its four decades of service, the food bank has grown to serve over 150 partners and distribute 49,000 meals daily, and it has expanded its reach to include Gila, Pinal, southern Apache, Navajo counties, and some of the most remote areas in the state.
Mesa-based Nonprofit Celebrates 40 Years of Service in East Valley
United Food Bank, based out of Mesa, is celebrating its 40th year of service in the East Valley this December. The nonprofit organization, committed to combating hunger and providing nutritious meals, marked this milestone with a range of festivities and a new logo that depicts its growth and impact.
United Food Bank, founded in 1983, gathered its corporate partners, board of directors, and volunteers for a Friends Breakfast – the first event of its kind post-pandemic. This celebration raised more than $40,000. Furthermore, the organization held an employee appreciation party at its volunteer center in Mesa on December 15th.
Yearly, United Food Bank collaborates with 12News for the ‘Summer of a Million Meals’ fundraiser. The 2023 campaign, which ran from May 29 to Sept. 4, generated 2,353,000 meals for families needing food assistance. To honor its 40th anniversary, the organization awarded its partners and donors who have supported over a million meals throughout their giving history.
United Food Bank’s CEO and president, Jason Reed, expressed his gratitude to everyone who has supported the organization over the years. He gave special thanks to the founders, staff, volunteers, donors, and community partners who have contributed to making food banking a critical service today.
Initially known as United Food Distribution Center, Inc., United Food Bank was a nonprofit joint venture among East Valley cities. The mission was to create a unified method to collect and distribute food to organizations aiding those in need. The service area expanded in just two years to include Gila, Pinal, and southern Apache and Navajo counties in addition to its original East Valley cities. Presently, the food bank covers an area of 19,608 square miles, even reaching the most remote areas in the state.
From helping 28 different community partners in its inaugural year to currently serving over 150 partners running food pantries, meal sites, and after-school youth meal programs, United Food Bank has come a long way. Notable partnerships include those with Mesa Senior Center, Apache Junction Food Bank, and Chandler Christian Community Center.
United Food Bank distributes over 21.6 million pounds of food annually, translating to about 49,000 meals per day. The need for food has skyrocketed over the past four decades, and United Food Bank has scaled its services accordingly to meet the increasing demand within the Arizona community.
For more information about United Food Bank, its future events and fundraisers, or to make a donation, visit unitedfoodbank.org.
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