By Fr. John Sauter
United Food Bank is a private non-profit organization that provides food to more than 250 social service agencies across 25,000 square miles in Arizona. The nation’s leading independent evaluator of non-profit organizations, Charity Navigator, ranks United Food Bank as the 11th most efficient food bank in the country and ranks #1 in efficiency in the Southwest.
Your Gifts at Work
United Food Bank in Arizona distributed 18,924,976 pounds of food in the last year in Arizona. That’s enough food to provide more than 43,200 meals each day throughout the state. They provide food to more than 250 partner agencies, including 10 sister food banks. The Heber-Overgaard United Food Bank distributes food to the needy from Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church the second Wednesday of the month, where a gift of just $1.00 provides enough food for 5 meals. Every act of generosity can change a life.
The team of parish volunteers, from left to right, are:
Martha Mead, Mary Bryant, Delores Lyrenmann, Chuck Seitz,
Carl Bryant, Bob Smolinski, John Lyrenmann, Wayne Mead, and in front is
Fr. John Sauter. Not pictured are Bill and Judy Newton and Merilyn Smolinski.
Chuck Seitz noted that people might not realize it, but United Food Bank got its name back in 1983 because it was funded by the United Way in the area who recognized that there was a huge need in Arizona for food services. He went on to add that we are so very proud of our long-standing relationship with United Food Bank and our volunteers who provide an invaluable service to the needy in the Heber-Overgaard community.
Chuck and the parish volunteers were pleased to recently receive a generous contribution from the folks at Bison Ranch and Dominion Properties who organized a First Annual Charity Chili Cook-Off, donating the profits to the Heber-Overgaard United Food Bank. This year they raised $1,055.00. As the news gets out, more people have stepped up to donate in the community, and Chuck said we couldn’t do it without this important support. Thanks to all in our community for their dedicated efforts!
Fr. John Sauter is the pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Overgaard, AZ. To find out more about the efforts of the volunteers with United Food Bank, or to help with their cause, call the parish office at (928)535-5329 or visit them online at ladyoftheassumption.com.