This past summer, thousands of Arizona kids and their families worried about where their next meals were coming from as hunger does not take a summer vacation. In response, United Food Bank hosted its seventh annual Summer of a Million Meals fundraiser in partnership with 12News and Fry’s Food Stores to assist families in need. The campaign ran from May 17 through Sept. 2 and raised enough funds to help provide over 3.5 million meals.
Families during the summer experience more financial strain as children are not able to receive their school-provided breakfast and lunch each day. This creates a higher demand for food for families in need, in addition to the higher electric bills and energy costs that rise with the summer heat.
“This was our biggest Summer of a Million Meals to date, and we are thankful to 12News and all our community partners for another successful fundraiser,” said Jason Reed, president and CEO of United Food Bank. “Food insecurity is a year-round problem in Arizona, but the need increases over the summer months with children on break from school. We appreciate every cent the Arizona community donated to help us provide families with access to the meals they needed this past summer.”
For the first time ever, United Food Bank kicked off the Summer of a Million Meals campaign with the first ever Food Drive Friday on May 17. Arizonans were invited to donate unopened and non-perishable foods, such as canned goods, cereals, oatmeal, peanut butter, rice, pasta, soups, etc.
Throughout the summer, United Food Bank hosted four giving telethons with local celebrity guests on May 17, June 6, July 18 and Aug. 29. United Food Bank typically only hosts three telethons, but a fourth one was added at the last minute due to the incredible generosity of the Arizona community. Arizonans were able to call in and make donations through the telethon events, online at azmillionmeals.org or at any of the registers at Fry’s Food Stores. In addition, 272 volunteers from local businesses donated their time to build 165,600 emergency food bags at these telethon events.
“12News is dedicated to making a positive impact in our community,” said Kate Morris, president and general manager of 12News. “For the past seven years, we’ve proudly partnered with United Food Bank for the Summer of a Million Meals campaign. With the help of our partners and generous viewers, our goal has always been to come together as neighbors to help provide meals to those in need throughout the critical summer months.”
“Fry’s Food Stores has been a leader in the fight to end hunger in Arizona for many years, which is part of our Zero Hunger | Zero Waste social impact plan.” said Monica Garnes, president of Fry’s Food Stores. “Our partnership with United Food Bank and other local food banks contributes greatly to this important initiative. We are proud to partner with United Food Bank and 12News for the Summer of a Million Meals campaign and are so grateful to our customers and associates who continue to support this valuable cause, year after year.”
Summer of a Million Meals would not have been possible without community sponsors including Meineke Car Care Center, Wells Fargo, Amazon, Waymo, Pin Point Leak Detection, Lerner and Rowe, State Farm, Whataburger and Semper Fi.
In support of the Summer of a Million Meals fundraiser, Organ Stop Pizza hosted its annual Christmas in July fundraiser benefiting United Food Bank. Customers who brought in two non-perishable food items or made a $2 donation received 10% off their food bill the entire month of July.
The Summer of a Million Meals was financially assisted by The Kroger Co. and Fry’s through The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation. The Kroger Co. Zero Hunger | Zero Waste Foundation is a nonprofit corporation and tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code dedicated to finding solutions to combat the issues of food insecurity and food waste in the communities where Kroger stores operate, including Fry’s Food Stores in Arizona.
To learn more information about United Food Bank and how you can still make a difference in the community through donations or volunteering, visit unitedfoodbank.
