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Food Lines is a quarterly publication of the

Association of Arizona Food Banks2100 N. Central Avenue, Suite 230

Phoenix, AZ 85004-1400

www.azfoodbanks.org

AAFB is a Partner State Association of:

and a partner with:

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• Special Insert: 2013-14 AAFB & Gleaning Project Annual Reports• It’s the Holidays - Numerous Ways to Support AAFB!• #ImagineaSolution - Hunger Awareness Campaign To Debut

It’s the New Year - Time to Donate Your Citrus: Food banks throughout Arizona will love to receive your citrus donations! Make plans to drop off your

excess citrus this spring before it gets hot.

Food LinesCelebrating 30 Years: 1984-20142014 Winter Issue | Vol. 31 | No. 2

/azfoodbanks | /aafb

Inside this

Issue

Blue Cross Blue Shield of AZ Fights Hunger: Gleaning Project logistics manager Sylvia

McKeever poses with canned chicken donated by BCBS of AZ in honor of their 75th anniversary.

Dear Friends,

As AAFB celebrates our 30th anniversary, there are many accomplishments that make us proud. Among them - collaborating with statewide advocates, persuading the state legislature to direct funding for WIC and school breakfast; leading groups of experienced and novice advocates to Washington D.C. to discuss needed policy changes to SNAP and other hunger programs with our Congressional delegation; writing and passing the Good Samaritan Food Donation Act in Arizona; and consulting on a mirror version at the federal level to remove liabilityfor food donors. We have transported nearly 1 billion pounds of food through our Arizona Statewide Gleaning Project and coordinated food drives that have brought millions of pounds of food to the tables of families in need throughout Arizona. The list goes on.

This list of worthwhile accomplishments is certainly laudable, but I am reminded of a quote by Maya Angelou: “People will forget what you said, forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” As I think of AAFB’s rich history, I am more reminded of the people whose lives we touched. The face of the grateful mother who struggled to make ends meet between two jobs and the child who helped feed his family by collecting eggs at the community garden. The veteran who said a quiet thank you. The volunteer that guided a family through the line. These moments touch my heart and make it very easy to come to work every day.

As I look forward, more challenges remain in the battle against hunger. We must increase our fight against childhood hunger and obesity, often two sides to the same coin, and their long term detrimental impact. We must improve access to emergency and healthy food in “food deserts.” We must target more outreach for food assistance, especially to isolated elderly and disabled individuals. We must develop enhanced public policies and programs that effectively address hunger with multiple and ongoing approaches. This work has to include facing the underlying reason for hunger and poverty: low wages and little opportunity for so many.

One constant throughout the years has remained - broad based support of AAFB from committed individuals, government, foundations and corporations. Your support of AAFB has solidified our success on so many fronts. As we reflect on 30 years of fighting hunger and close out 2014, I thank you for your steadfast commitment to ending hunger and for your contribution to our work. Have a safe and blessed holiday season.

Respectfully,

Angie B. Rodgers President & CEO

Advocacy Matters America Gives More Act

2015 Child Nutrition ReauthorizationHeading into December, AAFB joined Feeding America, food banks and other advocacy groups from around the country to ask elected officials to include the food donation tax deduction in the tax extenders package, also known as the America Gives More Act (HR 4719) that was expected to move during the Congressional Lame Duck session. At the time this went to print, the status of the America Gives More Act was undetermined, although there was considerable optimism it would be passed.

The food donation tax deduction included in the America Gives More Act has long enjoyed bi-partisan support dating back to 1976, and donated food from businesses and corporations makes a huge difference in helping food banks fight hunger, so it was unfortunate Congress allowed it to lapse. With ample secondary markets available to corporate donors, making the tax deduction available truly does impact the frequency and amounts of these donations. Learn more about the Act at www.councilofnonprofits.org/america-gives-more-act.

With the new year here, we are also turning our attention to 2015 Child Nutrition Reauthorization (CNR). Many programs with which you’re familiar – school breakfasts and lunches, the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, the Summer Food Service Program, after-school meal programs, and more, will be up for debate. CNR happens every five years and these programs are a critical component in fighting child food insecurity – the current version expires September 30, 2015. Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) has information on CNR and the programs it impacts at www.frac.org/leg-act-center/cnr-priorities. Expect to hear more as soon as policy discussions begin in the next few months.

A Message from Angie Rodgers

Arizona’s Budget Woes to Dominate Arizona Legislative Session

With the election over, our attention turns to Arizona’s large projected budget deficits (between $500 million and $1 billion for fiscal year 2015-16) and what Governor Doug Ducey’s initial budget proposal will look like. With so much of the budget tied up in mandated spending on education and Medicaid, and with continued pledges to not raise taxes, there is real concern that social and human services funding is vulnerable, including that for food banks. Our legislative agenda is focused on preserving and supporting hunger relief funding and the elimination of the finger-imaging requirement for SNAP (Food Stamp) applicants – Arizona remains the only state left in the country still requiring this costly and ineffective measure. Defunding it would free up a small amount of money for better use by the cash-strapped state.

Keep up with all the latest hunger and poverty relief advocacy by signing up for our Advocacy Team emails by sending an email to brian@azfoodbanks.org. Be sure to like us on Facebook and Twitter to keep up with breaking news. Most importantly, you can always contact your members of Congress via www.contactingthecongress.org.

Order Your Hunger Relief License Plate TodayMore than 2,000 have been ordered - do you have yours? The official Arizona Hunger Relief specialty license plate can be ordered at www.servicearizona.com or by visiting any MVD or Authorized Third Party office. They look awesome and are a great way to promote the hunger cause - $17 of the $25 fee benefits AAFB and our member food banks that collectively serve all 15 Arizona counties. Keep in mind specialty license plate fees are not pro-rated, therefore your new Hunger Relief license plate will renew on your next scheduled vehicle registration renewal date.

Ginny Hildebrand Named President of United Food Bank

When Ginny Hildebrand stepped down as AAFB president and CEO in June, 2013, most envisioned her spending a relaxing and well-deserved retirement with her husband and family. However, we also knew that helping others would always remain dear to her heart and part of her life. Sure enough, Ginny couldn’t stay retired for long, and after several months serving as the interim president and CEO, she officially accepted the position of president and CEO of United Food Bank in early November. Congratulations Ginny!

Of course, Ginny’s time at AAFB saw numerous accomplishments, from the creation of the Arizona Statewide Gleaning Project to advocacy work that led to the passage of the Charity Food Bank Act in 1986, the Food Bank Governmental Incentive Bill in 1996, and the Charitable Crop Contribution Bill Update in 2012. Ginny also served on numerous state and national boards and committees including the Arizona Depart-ment of Economic Security Hunger Advisory Council, the Maricopa County and State Emergency Food and Shelter Programs boards, and Feeding America’s Temporary Emergency Food Assistance Program task force.

United Food Bank will provide a host of new challenges and opportunites for Ginny. Learn more about the work of United Food Bank at www.unitedfoodbank.org.

Give the Gift of Comfort! Copenhagen Supports AAFB this Holiday Season

Looking for a great holiday gift for yourself or someone you love? Support AAFB when you purchase an Ekornes Stressless recliner at any Arizona Copenhagen Imports location before January 19, 2015. Simply donate a minimum of $50 at the point of sale, specifying that you want the donation to go to AAFB, and you will receive $200 off any Stressless seating or $400 off select Stressless Kensington, Mayfair or Chelsea recliners. Visit www.copenhagenliving.com for locations and more information.

Support AAFB at Hula’s Modern Tiki in January

Once again, as part of their monthly Mahalo Mondays program, Hula’s Modern Tiki is generously donating 10% of their gross proceeds from both their Phoenix and Scottsdale locations to AAFB during all four Mondays in January, 2015. Hula’s Modern Tiki is a modern, urban twist on the classic tiki bars and restaurants of the ‘50s and ‘60s, featuring a menu with a fusion of island and American flavors.

We look forward to seeing you each Monday in January at Hula’s Modern Tiki in Phoenix, located at 4700 N. Central Avenue just south of Camelback Road, and in Scottsdale, located at 7213 E. First Avenue in the heart of old town. Thank you Hula’s!

Donate to AAFB at any First Fidelity Bank Branch

We’re once again excited to partner with First Fidelity Bank this holiday season! Make a funds contribution to AAFB or drop off non-perishable food at any First Fidelity Bank branch location in Arizona now through January 9. Locate a branch location near you by visiting www.ffb.com/find-us.htm to make your donation!

Become a 2015 Summer Food Site Sponsor

The Summer Food Service Program (SFSP) is a federally funded child nutrition program established to ensure that low-income children, ages 18 and younger, have an opportunity to receive nutritious meals when school is not in session. Free meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner and snack) that meet federal nutrition guidelines are pro-vided to all children at approved SFSP sites in areas with significant concentrations of low income children. SFSP site sponsors can be schools, public or private organiza-tions, non-profits, or local government agencies. During the summer of 2014, a total of 4,064,777 SFSP meals were served throughout Arizona.

Would you or your organization like to learn more about becoming a SFSP site sponsor? There will be meeting for potential new site sponsors on January 6, 2015. The SFSP Summit/Annual Training for new and returning site sponsors will be held at the Mesa Convention Center on February 17, 2015 for non-profit organizations and February 18, 2015 for schools. For more information, please call 602-542-8700 and ask to speak to the CACFP/SFSP Specialist of the Day or visit http://tinyurl.com/azsfspsponsor.

AAFB Quick Takes

Ginny Hildebrand

Expect to see many diverse messages and engagement opportunities in this fight against hunger in Arizona. Be sure to follow both organizations on social media to keep up with all the #ImagineaSolution activity and submit your own!

#ImagineaSolution

As we first mentioned over the summer, one component of strategic planning with our board of directors is for AAFB to lead a comprehensive hunger awareness campaign to illustrate the scope, causes and solutions to hunger in Arizona. During the initial planning process, we discovered that Arizona Community Action Association (ACAA), a close ally of ours in the fight against hunger and poverty, were discussing a similar campaign of their own. Both organizations quickly realized the benefit of working together on a single campaign focusing on practical solutions to solving hunger, with the recognition that food banks and existing safety net programs cannot single-handedly end hunger. Thus, the campaign seeks to bring greater awareness to all the inter-connected facets of hunger and poverty, including aspects of socio-economics, wages, education, social justice, healthcare, nutrition, sustainability, and more. It will do so under the hopeful, encompassing banner – and social media hashtag – #ImagineaSolution.

The joint #ImagineaSolution hunger awareness campaign will launch in February, with subsequent months focusing on different aspects of hunger and its impact:

• February: Kicking Off – Framing the Hunger Issue in Arizona• March: Hunger’s Impact on Health and Healthcare• April: A Closer Look at SNAP (Food Stamps) and Mythbusting• May: Hunger’s Effect on Children and Education – Hungry Kids Can’t Learn!• June: The Economic Impact of Hunger

Each month’s theme will utilize different media strategies, from traditional to social, video, and more. Story-telling from diverse vantage points will help paint a picture of the effects of hunger and food insecurity, not only from those who struggle with it, but also from those who see its impacts just as clearly: classroom teachers, healthcare providers, and employers struggling to attract or retain employees. These stories will help show just how pervasive hunger in Arizona really is and how deeply it affects seemingly unrelated people and activities.

AAFB and ACAA are well positioned to jointly lead the campaign and be the voice these issues, helping to define and promote public education and conversation on hunger as a healthcare, education and economic issue, utilizing the latest data, trends, and of course, advocacy. We will also work together with other organizations and fields that share an interest and passion to end hunger, and target specific messages to specific audiences to build better awareness.

Help Us Spread the Word to End Hunger in Arizona!

The initial launch of the #ImagineaSolution campaign in February will frame the hunger issue in Arizona by focusingon Arizona insights from Feeding America‘s 2014 Hunger in America study released this past fall. Conducted everyfour years to gain a better understanding of who visits food banks and what their circumstances are, the study shows Feeding America food banks – which includes AAFB members Community Food Band of Southern Arizona, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, United Food Bank, and Yuma Community Food Bank – serve more than 46 million Americans, or one in seven. In Arizona, that number is more than 1.1 million. What makes the study unique is its depth and focus on the tough choices many struggling with hunger in Arizona face:

• 58% have had to choose between paying for food and paying for medicine/medical care. An estimated 54% of client households have a member with high blood pressure, 42% have a member with diabetes, and 47% have unpaid medical bills. 64% have had to choose between paying for food and paying for utilities.

• 55% have had to choose between paying for food and paying for rent or mortgage.• 64% have had to choose between paying for food and paying for transportation.• 28% have had to choose between paying for food and paying for education.

The study also shows that in Arizona:

• 63% of client households receive food from a food bank program regularly.• 34% of client households served have a member that has completed at least some college.• Only an approximate 45% of client households currently receive SNAP (Food Stamp) benefits, highlighting the

need for improved outreach – an estimated 73% of client households not currently receiving SNAP benefits are potentially income eligible to receive the benefit.

• 65% of served households have either a child under 18 or a senior over 60.• 20% of households have at least one active duty or veteran military member.

www.facebook.com/ arizonacommunityactionassociation

www.twitter.com/azcaa

Follow along with both of us at:

www.facebook.com/azfoodbanks

www.twitter.com/aafb

Making a donation to AAFB makes a great gift!

Your generous support allows AAFB to bring much needed food and services to our

member food banks and supports our advocacy for effective and

reasonable hunger relief policies.

This holiday season, please consider returning the enclosed envelope or making a secure online

donation at www.azfoodbanks.org to help us fight hunger and poverty in Arizona.

Receive a TAX CREDIT For Your 2014 DonationYou Do NOT Have to Itemize!

You can receive a tax credit for your 2014 donation! Under Arizona law (A.R.S. § 43-1088(G)(2), AAFB is recognized as serving the working poor. If you qualify, you could receive a FULL TAX CREDIT, up to $200 (filing as a single unmarried head of household) or $400 (married filing joint return) for donating to AAFB. Donations must be postmarked by December 31, 2014. See www.azdor.gov for more details, or call 602-255-3381 or 1-800-843-7196 from area codes 520 or 928. Always consult your tax preparer or financial adviser for specific advice.

After January 1, contact your nearest food bank for information about dropping off your citrus donations:

• Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Tucson: 520-449-8340 | www.communityfoodbank.org

• Desert Mission Food Bank, Sunnyslope Area: 602-870-6062 | www.jcl.com/foodbank

• St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, Greater Phoenix: 602-343-5658 | www.firstfoodbank.org/citrusgleaners

• United Food Bank, Mesa & East Valley: 480-926-4897 | www.unitedfoodbank.org

• Yuma Community Food Bank, Yuma: 928-343-1243 | www.yumafoodbank.org

• You can also search for the food bank closest to where you live by entering your zip code on our homepage: www.azfoodbanks.org. Always call in advance to make sure they will accept your produce donation.

You Are the Key to Our Success!Without the support of generous donors like you, AAFB could not deliver food to our member food banks, encourage more effective programs and reasonable policies at the state and federal level, or champion new opportunities to feed more school children. You make all this happen and continue to be the key to our success. Thank you! Because you value the work we do you are our strongest ambassador. Please share these options for supporting AAFB with a friend.

Monthly Donations – A very convenient way to support our work and be a reliable source of income for AAFB throughout the year. The monetary amount of the contribution can be whatever is convenient for you. Set the process up online at www.azfoodbanks.org or sign up by using the envelope in this issue of Food Lines.

Planned Giving – Include AAFB in your will or donate appreciated stock from your investment portfolio as part of a planned giving strategy. If you would like to support AAFB in this way please discuss the options with your financial adviser and then contact Virginia Skinner at 602-528-3434 or 1-800-445-1914.

Let Your Employer Work for You: Employer Matching Gifts – Double your gift to AAFB through Matching Gift Programs. Many employers offer to match your gift to encourage employees, and often their retirees, to support charitable organizations. Ask your human resources office if your company offers a Matching Gift Program.

Gifts in Memory or in Honor – Celebrate the holidays, a birthday, or any special occasion by making a contribution in honor or memory of family members, friends, colleagues, or a treasured loved one. Acknowledgements, without dollar amounts, will be sent to your honorees if you wish.

ARIZONA STATEWIDEGLEANING PROJECT

PHOENIX, AZ

A PROGRAM OF THE

Update

The New Year Means it’s Citrus Season! Donate Your Excess Citrus by Dropping

It Off at Your Local Food Bank

Help Support AAFB this Holiday Season!

The holiday season always means citrus season is right around the corner! Arizona’s food banks want your citrus donations – grapefruit, oranges, lemons, tangelos, and more – as they are critical sources of fresh, nutritious food for those struggling with hunger.

Citrus donations can also be juiced! St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, through a relationship with local juicer Sun Orchard, can use your citrus donations to create a healthy alternative to the raw fruit that has a much longer shelf life and appeals to many food bank clients who may prefer juice to the whole fruit.

Most food banks do not have the ability to come to your home to glean your trees. For the few that do, it is usually on a first-come-first serve basis in selected areas, and there may be a fee. Please contact your local food bank to find out about that food bank’s specific gleaning policies. Make plans to drop off your citrus to your local food bank today!

Our Mission:To deliver food and quality services to food banks

and foster relationships in support of our commitment to eliminate hunger.

Established in 1984, AAFB is a private, non-profit organization serving five-member regional food bank members and a network of nearly 1,200 food pantries

and agencies. AAFB is one of the first state associations in the nation and an inaugural partner state association of Feeding America. AAFB was

instrumental in the development of a statewide gleaning project, and our advocacy efforts have

brought about beneficial state and federal legislation for our member food banks and the people they serve.

The Association of Arizona Food Banks is not a food bank - we help make food banking better.

2014-15 Board of Directors:Board Chair: Karilee Ramaley, JD

Salt River Project

Co-Vice Chair: David Armstrong Ballard Spahr, LLP

Co-Vice Chair: Karina ErnstsenWells Fargo

Secretary / Treasurer: Jo Ellen “Jody” SereySerey/Jones Publishers, Inc.

Angela “Anne” Bellan School & Hospital Administrator (Retired)

Veronica Bossack Arizona Department of Economic Security (Retired)

Beverly B. DamoreSt. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance

Jerome K. Garrison, Sr., Ed.D. South Mountain Community College

Ginny HildebrandUnited Food Bank

Mike IversYuma Community Food Bank

David LuethSenergy Petroleum, LLC

Michael McDonald Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona

William H. NordWells Fargo (Retired)

Susan Riedel, MBAModern Woodmen of America

Sue Sadecki Desert Mission Food Bank

David SchwakeLitchfield Elementary School District

AAFB Staff:

Angie B. Rodgers President & CEO

Virginia SkinnerDirector of Development

Brian SimpsonDirector of Communications

Sylvia McKeeverGleaning Project Logistics Manager

Shawn Telford Children / Youth Outreach Manager

Kala Weinacker Office Manager / Executive Assistant

Sherry Hostler Business Manager

Merari Ornelas Administrative Assistant

Volunteers: Harold Graf & Debbie Kuhns MSW Intern: Breanna Olguin

AAFB is funded by donations and is partially funded by the Arizona Dept. of Economic Security–Family Assistance Administration. Points of view are those of the author and do not necessarily

represent the official position or policies of the Department. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, AAFB must make reasonable accommodation to allow a person with a disability to take part in a program, service, or activity. For example, this means that if necessary, the AAFB must provide sign language interpreters for

people who are deaf, a wheelchair accessible location, or enlarged print materials. It also means that the AAFB will take any other

reasonable action that allows you to take part in and understand a program or activity, including making reasonable changes to an activity. If you believe that you will not be able to understand or

take part in a program or activity because of your disability, please let us know of your disability needs in advance if at all possible.

Please contact AAFB at 602-528-3434.

Get Food Lines in Your Inbox:Help us save costs by receiving Food Lines in your

inbox. Saving on printing and postage costs allows us to direct more resources toward our mission!

Email brian@azfoodbanks.org to receive future issues of Food Lines in your inbox.

Food Lines is published quarterly by the Association of Arizona Food Banks. It is published in October,

December, March, and May. Send correspondence to:

Association of Arizona Food Banks2100 N. Central Avenue, Suite 230

Phoenix, AZ 85004-1400

Contributing writers and editors: Angie Rodgers, Brian Simpson, Virginia Skinner, Sherry Hostler,

Kala Weinacker

Design & Layout: Brian Simpson

Printing: Epic Print Solutions - Phoenix, AZ

Stay Connected with AAFB: Join the Advocacy Team: Stay current on state and

federal activities by sending an email with “Subscribe to the AAFB Advocacy Team” in the subject line to

brian@azfoodbanks.org.

Bi-Weekly Email Blast: Subscribe to the bi-weekly AAFB Email Newsletter by emailing Brian Simpson at

brian@azfoodbanks.org.

: www.twitter.com/aafb

: www.facebook.com/azfoodbanks

AAFB Member Food Banks Collectively Serve

All 15 Arizona Counties: Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona

www.communityfoodbank.org | 520.622.0525

Desert Mission Food Bankwww.jcl.com/foodbank | 602.870.6062

St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliancewww.firstfoodbank.org | 602.242.3663

United Food Bankwww.unitedfoodbank.org | 480.926.4897

Yuma Community Food Bankwww.yumafoodbank.org | 928.343.1243

Additional Resources:Arizona Self Help: resource pre-screening tool

www.arizonaselfhelp.org

Health-e-Arizona PLUS: online SNAP (Food Stamp) application

www.healthearizonaplus.gov

Arizona 2-1-1 www.211arizona.org

Valley of the Sun United Waywww.vsuw.org

Arizona Department of Economic Security www.azdes.gov