Valley food banks raising awareness in month of September

PHOENIX — Students who volunteered during the summer are no longer available, and holiday helpers have not yet signed up at St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.

Toss in the dip in donations while people are on vacation and Jerry Brown says their canned food supply is probably at their lowest level of the year.

“September is the time we really need some folks to step forward and help us,” Brown said.

Thanks to their buying power, Brown noted that they can turn a $1 donation into seven meals.

“One in five people in the state and one in four children go to bed not knowing where their next meal is coming from.”

September is designated as “Hunger Action Month”. The Chase Bank tower in downtown Phoenix will glow orange on Thursday nights to raise awareness. Several Valley companies and groups are holding food drives and offering deals for people who donate canned food. St. Mary’s has also created a calendar of events.