Arizona doles out $1.6 million in funding for food banks
Oct 29, 2020, 2:00 PM
(Twitter Photo/Doug Ducey)
(Twitter Photo/Doug Ducey)
PHOENIX — Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey announced Thursday the state is providing more than $1.6 million to help food banks during the holiday season.
The funding will allow food banks around the state to make more home deliveries to seniors and families in need. It will also expand the total amount of produce and items available.
More than 7,500 SNAP participants and 120 small farmers will benefit from the funds, Ducey said.
“By partnering with food banks and generous individuals around the state, Arizona is working to make sure that no family goes hungry this holiday season,” Ducey said Thursday during a press conference.
“During the pandemic, we’ve worked to stretch and strengthen the social safety net.”
St. Mary’s Food Bank, where Ducey held the press conference, will receive $600,000 to enhance its home-delivery model in seven Arizona counties, including Maricopa.
Community Food Bank will get $525,000 for its home-delivery model in Pima County.
Finally, $500,000 will go to the Double Up Food Bucks Program, which doubles the value of SNAP/EBT benefits used at farmers markets.
The funding will come from the state’s Crisis Contingency and Safety Net Fund that was established in March.
