St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance to host first ever event honoring 9/11

PHOENIX — St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance will host its first Arizona Meal Pack on Tuesday in honor of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in New York City, in partnership with the 9/11 Day organization.

More than 1,000 volunteers are expected to participate in packing meals for Arizonans in need, according to the organization’s website.

The project first began in New York City two years ago by the 9/11 Day organization before coming to Phoenix for the first year.

“This event is expanding this year to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Phoenix,” Jerry Brown, St. Mary’s Food Bank spokesman, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Monday. “The goal for the organization is to be in all 20 major cities in America by the 20th anniversary of 9/11.”

Brown said the objective of this annual event is to turn the tragic day into giving back.

First Annual Arizona Meal Pack for 9/11 Day is underway! More than 1,000 volunteers are packing 250,000 meals for those in need at @StMarysFoodBank. Even Big Red with the @AZCardinals is here helping! @KTAR923 #Remember911 #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/RojwL1B7zx

— Ali Vetnar (@Ali_Vetnar) September 11, 2018

Other organizations that will partner with St. Mary’s to host the event include: HandsOn Greater Phoenix, Arizona Coalition of Military Families and the Arizona Governor’s Office of Youth, Faith and Family.

“America The Beautiful” will play every two hours starting at 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. to honor the fallen men and women of the attacks.

“We want to remember those who have passed, we want to remember the tragedy of the day, but we would like to turn this into something that does good in the community and everyone will be working together to build these boxes and (prepare) the food,” Brown said. “And the reason behind doing it will be something that lasts long after September 11th.”

Volunteers can choose shifts and sign up online. Volunteers are expected to pack meals for approximately two hours.

For more information on volunteer opportunities in the Greater Phoenix area, St. Mary’s Food Bank posted a calendar of events for September, named Hunger Action Month, on the organization’s Twitter page.

Its official! The 2018 Hunger Action Month calendar is up!! Tap to see all the great things we have planned so you, your friends and your family can get involved! #HungerActionMonth #FeedingArizona #GoOrangehttps://t.co/aGrImQKSLl pic.twitter.com/b6kXm6O5qv

— St. Mary's Food Bank (@StMarysFoodBank) August 29, 2018

St. Mary’s Food Bank is located at 2831 N. 31st Avenue in Phoenix.

KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Ashley Flood contributed to this report.

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