Yuma Community Food Bank Distributes Over One Million Pounds of Food in One Month

The Yuma Community Food Bank crossed one million pounds of food distributed in a single month, a milestone driven almost entirely by volunteers who show up daily to build carts, sort produce, and hand pantry staples to neighbors across Yuma and La Paz counties.

Volunteer Coordinator Laurie Baker put the daily scale in plain terms: "The carts you see behind built behind us. We go through and give out 600-700 a day so our volunteers are definitely vital to building those and helping us get those out." The organization runs on roughly 15 paid employees, with Baker noting that "everything we do serving those two counties is definitely volunteer based."

Hundreds of volunteers fill that gap each week, sorting donations so neighbors can leave with fresh produce and pantry staples. But Baker flagged a persistent nutritional shortfall: many people coming through the food bank are not getting enough protein-rich foods, and volunteers are continuously working to address that gap.

For volunteer Mary Cooper, the work carries its own reward. "It's heart warming to be able to help others and give back to the community, it just makes you feel good all over," she said.

The one-million-pound month is notable, though the food bank has seen even higher single-month totals during periods of acute need. In November 2020, the organization distributed more than 1.5 million pounds to families in Yuma County, an increase of more than 677,000 pounds over November 2019. "You don't really get the full sense of it until you put a number to it," President and CEO Shara Whitehead said at the time.

The food bank says it feeds over 20,000 individuals each month across Yuma and southwestern Arizona and has distributed a cumulative 8 million pounds of food across its 40 years of operation.

Cash donations remain critical to keeping the operation running alongside food contributions. "You've gotta keep the lights on, you've gotta keep the people paid, that you have, the staff. So those cash donations are very significant," Whitehead has said. The organization notes that every dollar donated generates seven meals for families in Yuma.

Arizona residents can also reduce their state tax bill by giving: the food bank accepts donations eligible under Tax Credit Form 321, with maximum contributions of $470 for single filers and $938 for joint filers, using qualifying organization code 20536. Shoppers can also support the food bank passively by linking a Fry's Shopper's Card to the organization through the Community Rewards Program.

Those interested in volunteering or donating can call 928-343-1234.