Larry H. Miller Dealerships Hosts “Food Fuels Learning” Campaign for Arizona Children, Families Affected by Rising Food Prices
Second annual food drive campaign will support weekend and after school food programs in Phoenix and Tucson
PHOENIX (July 18, 2022) – The cost of living is at an all all-time high, from rent and utilities to fuel and food. As the price of groceries soar, local food banks are feeling the strain and anticipate back to school expenses next month being especially difficult on families who are already stretched financially. In response, Larry H. Miller Dealerships announced today its second annual “Food Fuels Learning” campaign in 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.
Larry H. Miller Dealerships’ “Food Fuels Learning” campaign, part of the group’s “Driven for Good” initiative, is aimed at helping children head back to the classroom with the food they need for academic success. It will support the Backpack Program at St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, which provides chronically hungry children 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 also works to alleviate childhood 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 and both need more support as the demand for food assistance resources increases.
“The rising cost of fuel, food, and housing is a real concern and impacts us all,” said Pat Kroneberger, senior vice president of operations, Larry H. Miller Dealerships. “While many people are feeling the financial pain when filling up their empty tanks at the gas station, sadly, many children are feeling the hunger pangs of empty stomachs. Families are grappling with how to put food on the table and childhood hunger is a very real issue in Arizona with one in six children facing hunger, according to Feeding America. Our company is focused on uplifting the community, especially the health of our children, and we hope this month-long drive will help fill a gap at the local food banks.”
Now through Aug. 18, 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 the proper food and nutrition. Some of the most needed items include bottled water, peanut butter, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, rice, beans, pasta, and canned meats (tuna, chicken, and beef).
Rising food costs have greatly impacted the communities served by both food banks. In just one-week last month, St. Mary’s Food Bank had nearly 5,000 families visit its Phoenix and Surprise locations alone, and the organization expects to see an increase in visiting families when children return to school. The food bank is also finding it harder to locate certain items like canned food, meat, and proteins due to rising prices and supply chain problems.
“Rising food costs have nearly doubled the number of families we have seen at the food bank, compared to this time last year,” said Jerry Brown, director of public relations, St. Mary’s Food Bank. “When children head back to school, we want to be prepared and keep our pantries stocked. Larry H. Miller Dealerships and the ‘Food Fuels Learning’ campaign is well-timed and will impact St. Mary’s just as our afterschool and weekend assistance programs become an even more important lifeline to families who are struggling.”
The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona is serving between eight to 10 percent more families than this time last year and the organization expects to see an increase in visiting families when children return to school and need its Hunger Relief Programs.
“We are seeing an uptick in demand with the rising food and gas prices,” said Robert Ojeda, chief program officer of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. “At this time, our food supply remains stable, however we do rely on food drives like Larry H. Miller Dealerships’ ‘Food Fuels Learning’ campaign to supply the variety of items we distribute throughout southern Arizona. The food donations promote a healthy, hungry-free community, and as school starts back up next month, it is vital we get all the support we can to prevent childhood hunger.”
The “Food Fuels Learning” campaign will culminate on Aug. 19, when a caravan of Larry H. Miller Dealerships vehicles stuffed with non-perishable food will deliver the donations to the food banks. Monetary donations can also be made to support the Food Fuels Learning campaign and St. Mary’s Food bank here and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona here.
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
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About Larry H. Miller Dealerships
Larry H. Miller Dealerships operates more than 55 dealership locations under 17 automotive brands in seven western states. The group has 12 Arizona locations, including nine in Phoenix and three in Tucson.
For more information about Larry H. Miller Dealerships, please visit www.lhmauto.com.
About St. Mary’s Food Bank
Celebrating its 55th year as the world’s FIRST Food Bank in 2022, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization that alleviates hunger by efficiently gathering and distributing food to more than 900 partner agencies 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 2021, the Food Bank distributed an all-time record of 123 million pounds of food to Arizona families and children and garnered more than 75,000 volunteer service hours. Web site: wwwStMarysFoodBank.org Phone: 602-242-FOOD.
About Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona was named Food Bank Member of the Year in 2018 by Feeding America, a network of 200 food banks nationwide. Founded in 1976, The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona provides food for people in need, advocacy and nutrition education throughout southern Arizona including Cochise, Graham, Greenlee, Pima and Santa Cruz Counties. For more information visit www.communityfoodbank.org.
