about us
We are the Arizona Food Bank Network
The Arizona Food Bank Network (AzFBN) is a coalition of 5 regional food banks and almost 1,000 food pantries and agencies, working to address hunger in Arizona. Together, our network feeds almost one million people each year in all 15 counties in Arizona. We amplify the good work of these food banks by raising awareness about hunger, coordinating large food donations between food banks, and providing resources and education.
We are not a food bank ourselves, but support food banks, collaborating with them and government agencies, community organizations, schools, and other partners to create a hunger-free Arizona. If you need food today, head over to the food bank map >>
The Impact of Our Member Food Banks
Ending Hunger in Arizona
What We Do
Fighting hunger in Arizona takes different forms. Click the topics below to read more about different areas of work that address this critical issue for so many people in our state.
We work with elected officials at the state and national levels to educate them on food policy issues that affect Arizonans.
We support our member food banks by transporting food, purchasing food in bulk at a discount, and hosting an annual educational conference. In 2017, our member food banks distributed more than 175 MILLION pounds of food to Arizonans in 15 counties.
We partner with schools and school districts, community organizations, and nonprofits to ensure kids get proper nutrition 3 times a day, 7 days a week, through school meals and summer meal programs. We also work on solutions for other at-risk populations, like seniors, college students, and rural Arizonans.
We educate to ensure the general public understands the causes and impacts of hunger. We facilitate research on hunger to better understand how we can support Arizonans.
Our 1-800 number and online directory tap Arizonans into the largest database of emergency food options (food banks, pantries, soup kitchens, shelters, and others that distribute emergency food) in Arizona. Find a food bank >>
We participate in statewide coordination during disaster situations, as a member of Arizona Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster to ensure adequate nutrition to those impacted.
Our Mission
Our Vision
Our Team
Our Member Food Banks
Read below for answers to common questions about food banks, hunger and AzFBN's work
FAQs
Over time, the words “food bank” have come to mean “charitable food help” and that’s fine with us! When we talk about our member food banks, we mostly mean large, regional distribution centers. Think of them as warehouses more than places that people go to get help – although more and more our regional food banks are providing direct help to people in need, too. Sometimes you’ll hear the words “food pantry” or “soup kitchen” as well. A pantry is smaller with limited (or sometimes) no warehouse space, and a soup kitchen usually refers to a place that serves hot meals cafeteria style.
Food banks that are part of the Feeding America network have a service territory. They get donations and serve agencies (smaller food banks, food pantries and other charitable food providers) in a predefined area. See our map to determine the area that each of our member food banks serve. Each food bank helps store and provide food for smaller agencies. Some serve 10-15 other agencies, and some serve several hundred! Each of those agencies then provide services to people who need food help.
An agency, sometimes called a member agency, is a charity that works with a regional food bank to serve an area of the state. These can be small church pantries or very large organizations that serve hundreds or even thousands of people each month.
Visit the “Get Food” page here on our website to find help close to you or to learn about programs that you may qualify for.
This changes a little every year, but in general we know that 1 in 10 Arizonans suffer from food insecurity, and that number for children is almost 1 in every 7. Visit this page for more information
The program that used to be referred to as food stamps is now called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP for short. This program helps millions of Americans stretch their food budgets, and also helps to boost economic activity through these purchases.
They were! In general, when we talk about federal programs aimed at helping people with their food budgets, the department of the government that handles it is the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Back in the day, these commodities were purchased by the USDA and then given directly to people at risk of hunger. While the USDA still purchases and distributes commodities, this is done through a program called The Emergency Food Assistance Program or TEFAP. Our food banks receive these products through the Arizona Department of Economic Security and distribute them to needy families across the state.
Just by clicking to read this answer, you are helping! It’s hard to believe sometimes that hunger exists in Arizona, but as many as 1 million people in our state need help in any given year. So the first step is knowing about the problem. There are many ways to help. You can volunteer at a food bank, donate cash (which is tax deductible and Arizona state tax credit eligible!) or host a food drive.
Yes! Food banks need volunteers to help do as much as possible with limited budgets. Visit our member food bank websites for their latest needs, or use our food bank directory to find a smaller agency that may be closer to you. The rules vary, but as much work is related to warehousing, each food bank adheres to OSHA regulations regarding age of volunteers. If you have questions call the food bank – sometimes there are things that need to be done that aren’t in the warehouse that may accommodate older children and teens.
Use our food bank directory to find a charity close to you. It’s a good idea to call ahead, as sometimes these agencies are staffed by volunteers and have limited hours for drop off.
There are a couple of programs for this, but they get fully booked very quickly. Ask for help from neighbors and friends to pick the fruit and then use the food bank directory to find a place close to you. Call ahead! Not every agency or food bank can accept the fruit.
In Arizona, donations to AzFBN are tax deductible federally and tax credit eligible if you file a state tax return here. Our “Qualified Charitable Organization (QCO)” code is 20527. You don’t have to itemize your state taxes to get this credit, and the limit is up to $400 for individuals and $800 for joint filers. Our member food banks are tax-credit eligible, too!
In 2019 the Association of Arizona Food Banks officially became the Arizona Food Bank Network. Same organization, different name!
Our member food banks are listed here, and they each serve agencies that cover the entire state of Arizona.
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