Feeding our Neighbors Together.
Feeding Our Neighbors Together is a year-round statewide food drive that harnesses the power of community to feed more people facing food insecurity across Arizona.
With the rising cost of living, especially the rising costs of groceries, we’re seeing more need than ever in the community. Families living paycheck-to-paycheck are struggling to make ends meet and keep their kids fed. Demand at Arizona’s food banks has grown by 25% since 2020 — from 450,000 people per month to 600,000.
That's why we're calling on our entire community to help build a safety net of support for our most vulnerable neighbors!
The Issue Facing Arizona
Millions of Arizonans face food insecurity every day, not knowing where their next meal is coming from or having adequate access to nutritious food. With the rising cost of living, especially the rising cost of groceries, we're seeing more families and individuals living paycheck-to-paycheck struggling to make ends meet and keep themselves and their kids fed.
Over 1 Million People in Arizona Face Food Insecurity
According to Feeding America, there are over 1,000,000 Arizonans who face food insecurity. 1 in 7 Arizona adults occasionally or constantly lacks access to food. And 1 in 5 children experiences hunger.
Growing Demand for Food
Demand at Arizona’s food banks has grown by 25% since 2020 — from 450,000 people per month to 600,000. With the rising cost of living, especially the rising costs of groceries, we’re seeing more need than ever in the community. Families living paycheck-to-paycheck are struggling to make ends meet and keep their kids fed.
Rising Poverty Levels
According to 2023 census data, 12.4% of Arizonans live in poverty. The official U.S. poverty rate for 2023 was 11.1%, representing 36.8 million people.
Latest Local Headlines
- Arizona schools brace for food insecurity surge
- Arizona Latino leaders sound alarm on food insecurity
- St. Mary’s Food Bank sees more Valley seniors, families struggling with food insecurity
- Do you live in a food desert? Here's how to find fresh, nutritious food in Phoenix
- Research shows pandemic-induced food insecurity on the rise in Arizona
A Statewide Effort to Feed our Neighbors in Need
Times of great need call for bold action. That's why St. Vincent de Paul is uniting community members, groups and networks statewide to collect food for Arizona families facing food insecurity. The effort reaches from Southern Arizona and Tucson all the way to Yuma, Parker, Flagstaff, and everywhere in between. All the food collected in each area stays in the local community, helping to feed your neighbors in need.
Our Goal
We will strive for more impact, leverage partnerships in the community that have common goals, and work collaboratively to inspires compassion, community and generosity to help Arizonans in need.
SVdP Programs Meeting the Need
Since 1946, St. Vincent de Paul has addressed food insecurity in central and northern Arizona by delivering food boxes to families and individuals in need through 80+ community food pantries. We also prepare and serve thousands of hot meals a day through our dining rooms, shelters, and 30+ community partners.
Food Bank & Community Pantries
Unique from traditional food banks where families stand in line for a food box to take home, we honor each person’s dignity and privacy by taking the food and help to those in need. Specially trained volunteers, called Vincentians, operate and run over 80 community food pantries out of Catholic churches in central and northern Arizona. Each location answers calls for help and serves its community–it’s truly an effort organized for neighbors to help neighbors.
Our central food bank is the engine that powers our community pantries. Thanks to grocery partners, generous donors and hundreds of community food drives, our food bank receives and processes over 3.37 million pounds of food to distribute to our network of community food pantries. Canned sources of protein like tuna, chicken and soups are especially needed year-round.
Dining Rooms
Daily hunger and poor nutrition take an emotional and stressful toll on people. That’s why our core programming includes serving nutritious, prepared meals at four dining rooms across metropolitan Phoenix and at more than two dozen nonprofit partners who lack kitchen facilities of their own.
Together, we serve community members who are experiencing homelessness or whose income levels are below the poverty level.
When someone visits one of our dining rooms, it’s rarely just about eating. In addition to hot, nutritious meals, our dining rooms are points of connection to other services and programs. We partner with community agencies and our own case managers to provide health screenings, mental health counseling, shelter, clothing, workforce readiness and other vital services to help people get back on their feet.
Stories of Progress
Lights on and food in fridge
SVdP was there for a single mom of six after car trouble caused her tight budget to fall short
What is a Vincentian?
Hear from Vincentians, including VESS Director Irma Leyendecker, on the calling to serve neighbors in need, deep sense of compassion, and network of impact across Arizona
Celebrating a Vincentian's 100th birthday and 40 years of service
SVdP looks back on Santé Céolin's lifetime of service from the French Resistance to helping northern Arizonans in need
Our Process
St. Vincent de Paul is positioned well to address this need with more than 80 community food pantries across northern and central Arizona. We have a ready-made network of Vincentian volunteers to help deliver the food assistance Arizonans need, and we have deep connections with partners across the state to help us take our support statewide.
Your Impact
When we come together as a community, even the smallest contributions can make a huge impact for our neighbors in need. A food box delivered by Vincentians can feed a family of four for 2-3 days, helping to stretch already thin budgets of our neighbors living paycheck-to-paycheck. Just $25, or 15 donated items can fill a food box for a neighbor in need.
Gather your Community to Host a Food Drive.
By hosting a non-perishable food drive with your colleagues and friends, you are gathering what money can't buy... A variety of food that we can't purchase through any vendor or grocery partner. You see, the food you choose to donate will be different from your friends or neighbors. That's the beauty of hosting a food drive--there's no one alike! Families across Arizona count on St. Vincent de Paul to help them put dinner on the table.
Volunteer
Experience the joy of service.
With a wide range of services across the Valley, there are many ways to share your time, talent and skills. Explore various service opportunities and find the right fit, whether you are volunteering alone, with your family or with a group!