Sponsoring Company Food Drive To Benefit Summer Program

To help bring awareness to the problem of hunger throughout Arizona communities during the summer months, Angel MedFlight Worldwide Air Ambulance is sponsoring a company-wide food drive to benefit the St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance's Summer Food Service Program in Phoenix, AZ.

AngelMedFlight says its staff is dedicated to making a difference in their local communities. The company is holding a departmental challenge, encouraging employees to donate much needed food supplies.

"The summer months can be especially tough on the children and families in Arizona who live in poverty, as many don't have access to school breakfast and lunch programs," said Jerry Brown, Media Relations Director for St. Mary's Food Bank.

The Summer Food Service Program through St. Mary's helps bridge that gap at 95 locations around the Valley.  Last year, St. Mary's distributed enough food to provide 70 million meals to families and individuals.Non-perishable foods such as peanut butter, boxed cereal and canned fruits, vegetables and meats are especially needed during the summer time.

According to the Arizona Association of Food Banks, summer typically spells trouble for food banks. By April, food banks start to see the massive food and monetary donations raised during the holidays start to run low. St. Mary's receives 40 percent of all donations in November and December.

At the end of June, the staff at Angel MedFlight will deliver the non-perishable foods collected during their food drive to St. Mary's Food Bank in Phoenix.

St. Mary's reports to be the world's first food bank, and is a nonprofit organization that gathers and distributes food to more than 330 partner agencies at more than 430 locations serving the hungry in two-thirds of Arizona's counties. It is a member of Feeding America, a nationwide network of more than 200 food banks and food rescue organizations.

FMI: www.angelmedflight.com