Times may be tough, but the Community Food Bank in Tucson says donations are as strong as ever. The food bank was “very excited” to receive a donation of 30,000 pounds of frozen chicken from Tyson Foods, Inc. on Sept. 21, said Eric Hitzeman, vice president of operations for the food bank. Ward 5 candidate Richard Fimbres worked with the League of United Latin American Citizens to secure the donation from Tyson Foods that could feed about 20,000 Tucsonans.
The chicken was distributed to local soup kitchens, like Caridad-DePorres and Casa Maria, Hitzeman said. The frozen chicken was not distributed directly to families from the food bank because it was donated in bulk, and the Community Food Bank does not have a re-packaging facility, Hitzeman said.
Because of the tough economy, people are strapped for cash and taking advantage of food banks more than ever, explained Hitzeman, adding that the local food banks have seen a “huge jump” in the amount of emergency food boxes being given away at the banks in Marana, Green Valley, Ajo, Amado and Nogales.
In August 2008, about 16,100 households in all five counties in southern Arizona received food boxes, whereas this August, about 18,800 households in all five counties received food boxes.
But government subsidies along with community donations have countered the increasing need for food across the community, Hitzeman said.
“The government stepped up with a lot of additional foods and we had a great holiday season last year,” Hitzeman said, adding that folks in the Old Pueblo have contributed to the growth as well. “We have a very giving community in Tucson.”
