Glendale breaks record for holiday food drive after parade canceled

PHOENIX — The city of Glendale broke a record for monetary donations to the Hope for Hunger Food Bank this holiday season by accepting $35,000 from sponsors.

The food bank also accepted 11,900 pounds of food — including 238 turkeys — in a four-month period from October 2020 through January 2021, according to a release.

“Every year I am proud of how the community comes together to help each other,” Mayor Jerry Weiers said in a release.

“With the pandemic, we knew the need was going to be much greater and yet the community stepped up in a huge way and I couldn’t be prouder or more grateful.”

The increase in monetary donations turned a positive into a negative after the city was forced to cancel the 2020 Hometown Christmas Parade due to COVID-19.

Many parade entrants decided to donate their entry fees to the food drive rather than accepting refunds.

Last year, $18,000 and nearly 32,000 pounds of food were donated during the drive.

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