KTAR News’ ‘Outspoken Against Hunger’ drive tops 1 million meals for St. Mary’s Food Bank

A monthlong fundraising campaign by KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Outspoken with Bruce & Gaydos passed 1 million meals for St. Mary’s Food Bank.

The sixth annual “Outspoken Against Hunger” drive raised $204,123 in June through listener donations and corporate contributions. At St. Mary’s rate of five meals per dollar, the total translates to 1,020,615 meals for Arizonans facing food insecurity.

 

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“The people of Phoenix, whenever we ask them to do something … they always step up,” St. Mary’s Food Bank public relations director Jerry Brown said.

The campaign asked listeners to text the word FOOD to 620620 throughout June. Some 675 donors responded, contributing an average of about $130 each.

Thirty people donated more than once, Brown said, including one donor who gave $100 on June 1 and another $100 on the final day.

Axon, the Scottsdale-based public safety technology company, provided a $75,000 matching gift. The Phoenix Thunderbirds contributed an additional $10,000.

Even without the corporate match, individual donations exceeded last year’s total of $123,000, Brown said.

The campaign began modestly in 2021 as “Food Bank Fridays,” raising $11,000. It grew to $20,000, then $40,000, before reaching six figures for the first time last year.

Both hosts, Bruce St. James and Larry Gaydos, noted the donations came during a period of economic strain, with elevated gas prices and recent cuts to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits increasing demand at food banks.

“It’s a tough time,” Gaydos said. “People just said, ‘You know what? I want to feed somebody.'”

The donation page is still live and accepting donations. Brown encouraged those who could not donate to volunteer at St. Mary’s new climate-controlled volunteer center.

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