Phoenix-based St. Mary’s Food Bank puts out call for volunteers to pack boxes

PHOENIX — St. Mary’s Food Bank is asking for help, but this time it doesn’t need your canned goods — it needs your time.

“We’re just not getting the number of volunteers to build these boxes,” Jerry Brown, director of public relations at the Phoenix-based charity, told KTAR News 92.3 FM on Wednesday.

Brown said shifts that had up to 200 volunteers during the holidays now may not even get 40, while the demand for food assistance remains high.

“The number of people coming to the food bank is exactly the same in January as it was in November and December. … We have the food. We just need to get that food boxed up so that we can get it out to the people who need it,” Brown said.

While it’s not unusual to have a slowdown in volunteers after the holidays, Brown said the number of people needing food has been historic in the past year, which has led to more struggles.

Approximately 2,000 families come in for food every day between St. Mary’s two main campuses in Phoenix and Surprise, according to Brown.

Visit the St. Mary’s Food Bank website for more information or to volunteer.

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