Since 1986, our neighbors at the Paradise Valley Emergency Food Bank (PVEFB), located at 32nd St and Shea, have been working diligently to provide well-balanced meals to the community residing in the PVSchools boundaries whose incomes fall below the poverty level.

Throughout the years, PVEFB has expanded programs and services for children who attend PVSchools to include Weekend Food4Kids Backpack Program and the School Nurse Program. In turn, students at PV schools have held canned food drives to help support PVEFB’s community efforts. Furthermore, each year, PVSchools holds the Empty Bowls in Paradise event in which all proceeds from the event are donated to the PVEFB.

Weekend Food4Kids Backpack Program
In 2008, the PVEFB saw a need in the community to create a Weekend Food4Kids Backpack Program to help feed 100 students who attended Title I schools.

These students receive breakfast and lunch at school during the week and may not have access to healthy, easy to make meals during the weekend. During the 2019-20 school year, this program will provide weekend meals for approximately 783 PV students. The food provided in the backpacks is intended to offer breakfast, lunch, and snack items to children for the weekend to replace the food provided by the school during the week.

School Nurse Program
Additionally, PVEFB provides school nurses at 39 PV schools with juice and crackers that can be used when dispensing medicine to students during the school day or when students arrive at school hungry.

School Food Drives
Throughout the school year, student councils at PV schools hold food drives to collect non-perishable items that are then donated to the PVEFB. During the 2018-19 school year, PVSchools food drives accounted for more than 50,000 pounds of food, representing 35.6 percent of all food donations for the year.

Need Assistance – Emergency Food Assist Program
For individuals and families who require assistance, the PVEFB provides wholesome and nourishing meals to those who reside within the boundaries of the PVSchools. Families with minor children living within the household needing assistance can receive up to eight food boxes per year, seniors (over 65 years old) can receive 12 boxes per year, and adults 18 years or older can receive four boxes per year.

During the last five years, the PVEFB has provided its neighbors with 56,199 emergency food assists, including 22,886 to children.

How You Can Help the PVEFB
There are a few ways in which you can help the emergency food bank, including donating non-perishable food items, volunteering, or making a monetary donation that qualifies for a tax credit.

Non-perishable Food Donations – Food banks, including the PV Emergency Food Bank, rely on community members and organizations to provide donations throughout the year, not just during the holidays. In addition to canned food items, the PV Emergency Food Bank is also in need of hot and cold cereals, juices, dry milk, spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter, jelly, baby food, soap, toilet paper, diapers, and personal care items.

Volunteer – You can help the PVEFB by volunteering. Volunteers help collect food and distribute food, stock shelves, and help answer the phone.

Monetary Donations – Monetary contributions help the PVEFB pay for rent and utility costs in addition to food items that are not donated. They accept checks or credit card payments through PayPal. When you make a monetary contribution, you are eligible for the Credit for Donations made to Qualifying Charitable Organizations.

Learn more about PV Emergency Food Bank by visiting pfefb.org