Phoenix food bank to send food to furloughed Arizonans

PHOENIX — St. Mary’s Food Bank announced Monday that it would be sending emergency food relief to Grand Canyon National Park employees affected by the partial government shutdown.

Food for the more than 2,200 park employees and an additional 1,200 hospitality workers affected by the shutdown will arrive in the area on Tuesday.

“The park closure has been devastating for the employees of Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding communities,” Rev. Patrick Dotson, pastor of Grand Canyon Community Church, said in a press release. “While local concessionaires are supporting their furloughed employees and their families by providing free rent and limited meal support, we anticipated a great need for food relief outside of our ability to sustain through local food donations.”

The food bank is sending more than 600 food boxes to the community. They will be available for pick-up between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. at the Tusayan Fire Station on Tuesday and Wednesday. The boxes can also be picked up between 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. Tuesday and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Maswick Lodge Cafeteria.

St. Mary’s is also planning a fresh food delivery in the area on Friday at the Backcountry Office from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.