Larry H. Miller Dealerships Hosts Food Drive for Arizona Children, Families Facing Food Insecurity
“Food Fuels Learning” campaign will support weekend and after school food programs in Phoenix, Tucson
PHOENIX (Sept. 2, 2021) – Now that Arizona children are back in school, local food banks are seeing a spike in demand as many parents are spread thin financially, purchasing school supplies and other back to school expenses. Larry H. Miller Dealerships announced today a partnership with two of Arizona’s largest food banks, St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona in Tucson, on a month-long “Food Fuels Learning” campaign, which will help children who are back in the classroom with the food they need for academic success.
Larry H. Miller Dealerships’ “Food Fuels Learning” campaign will support the Backpack Program at St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, which provides children who are chronically hungry with a weekly food bag to help their families through the weekend. The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona’s School Pantries Program in Tucson works to alleviate hunger by providing resources to low-income families via food pantries at convenient locations. Both programs are vital for school performance among children across the state.
“We know childhood hunger is a very real problem in Arizona, and families are struggling now more than ever to stay afloat during this time,” said Pat Kroneberger, senior vice president of operations, Larry H. Miller Dealerships. “Our company is focused on supporting children in their health and education, and we hope this month-long drive will help fill a void at the local food banks and provide nutrition to students to support their learning.”
Now through Sept. 30, Larry H. Miller Dealerships is encouraging its employees and the public to help fill a vehicle at each of its 12 dealerships across Metro Phoenix and Tucson with nonperishable food items to help children go back to school with proper food and nutrition. Some of the most needed items include peanut butter, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, rice, beans, pasta, and canned meats (tuna, chicken and beef).
The COVID-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the communities served by both food banks. This past year, St. Mary’s Food Bank distributed 120 million pounds of food, a record for the organization. Now that children are returning to school, the organization is seeing an increase in families in need for both of its Children’s Feeding Programs.
“This has been a record-breaking year at St. Mary’s Food Bank,” said Jerry Brown, director of public relations, St. Mary’s Food Bank. “We’ve never experienced a spike quite like we did earlier this year and now with children returning to school, we want to be prepared and keep our pantries stocked. Larry H. Miller Dealerships’ ‘Food Fuels Learning’ campaign is happening at an ideal time. The need for afterschool and weekend assistance is high, and we could not be more thrilled to have a community partner eager to support us.”
Families facing hunger need additional meals after the week to get by during the weekends and heavily rely on programs such as the Backpack Program at St. Mary’s Food Bank. Backpacks are filled with non-perishable items that provide at least three nutritious meals to a family of four. St. Mary’s currently collaborates with more than 100 schools and community centers to provide about 7,000 backpacks per week to families across the state.
The “Food Fuels Learning” campaign will culminate in October, when a caravan of Larry H. Miller Dealerships vehicles stuffed with non-perishable food will deliver the donations to the food banks.
Food Fuels Learning Drop-off Locations:
Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa, 460 E. Auto Center Dr., Mesa, AZ 85204
Larry H. Miller Nissan Mesa, 2025 Riverview Auto Dr., Mesa, AZ 85201
Larry H. Miller Dodge Ram Avondale, 10101 W. Papago Fwy., Avondale, AZ 85323
Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Avondale, 10055 W. Papago Fwy., Avondale, AZ 85323
Larry H. Miller Volkswagen Avondale, 10205 W. Papago Fwy., Avondale, AZ 85323
Larry H. Miller Hyundai Peoria, 8425 W. Bell Rd., Peoria, AZ 85382
Larry H. Miller Dodge Ram Peoria, 8665 W. Bell Rd., Peoria, AZ 85382
Larry H. Miller Toyota Peoria, 8633 W. Bell Rd., Peoria, AZ 85382
Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Surprise, 13165 N. Autoshow Ave., Surprise, AZ 85388
Larry H. Miller Dodge Ram Tucson, 4220 E. 22nd St., Tucson, AZ 85711
Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Tucson, 7800 E. 22nd St., Tucson, AZ 85710
Larry H. Miller Volkswagen Tucson, 900 W. Auto Mall Dr., Tucson, AZ 85705
--lhmauto.com—
About Larry H. Miller Dealerships
Larry H. Miller Dealerships operates more than 60 dealership locations under 17 automotive brands in seven western states. The group has 12 Arizona locations, including nine in Phoenix and three in Tucson.
Larry H. Miller Dealerships has a strong legacy of giving back to communities where it does business. Through its charitable organization, Larry H. Miller Charities, more than $1.5 million has been donated to qualified nonprofit organizations throughout Arizona since 1996.
For more information about Larry H. Miller Dealerships, please visit www.lhmauto.com.
About St. Mary’s Food Bank
Celebrating its 52nd year as the world’s FIRST Food Bank, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization that alleviates hunger by efficiently gathering and distributing food to 745 partner agencies at more than 1,000 locations in Arizona that serve the hungry. Serving nine of Arizona’s 15 counties, the organization is a member of Feeding America, the national network of food banks, and is committed to volunteerism, building community relationships, and improving the quality of life for Arizonans in need. In Fiscal Year 2018-19, the Food Bank distributed more than 97 million pounds of food to Arizona families and children and garnered more than 225,000 volunteer service hours. Website: wwwStMarysFoodBank.org Phone: 602-242-FOOD.
