Dear St. Anne Parish Family,
St. Anne Friends of the Needy continues to witness God’s providence through the generosity and faithful work of this parish community.
Although we remain a small, parish based food bank, the scale of food passing through this ministry each week continues to be remarkable.
Through our grocery rescue program and food bank partnerships, St. Anne Friends of the Needy now receives approximately 19,000 to 20,000 pounds of food each week. Our volunteer drivers travel 7 days a week to local stores to collect rescued groceries, which are then received, sorted, and distributed to families in need. This work requires steady coordination and the faithful dedication of volunteers throughout the week.
We were recently blessed to acquire a refrigerated trailer. This important addition allows us to better preserve rescued food, reduce waste, and protect the quality of the groceries we distribute. We are also exploring the possibility of obtaining a walking forklift to improve unloading efficiency and reduce the physical strain on volunteers.
Holiday Outreach
During Thanksgiving, we were grateful to share approximately 700 turkeys with families in need, representing roughly 9,000 pounds of food provided for holiday meals.
During the Christmas season, approximately 200 hams and 200 turkeys were distributed, representing roughly 4,500 pounds of protein shared during this sacred time of year.
A Google Review from One of the Families We Serve
“St. Anne’s Friends of the Needy is such an amazing and generous organization. Being able to come here and receive food during these tough times has been such a gift. My family and I would have never survived if it wasn’t for their support.”
Your Impact as a Volunteer
In January, our volunteers generously contributed more than 600 hours of service. We are also deeply grateful for our volunteer drivers, whose consistent grocery rescue pickups sustain this ministry week after week.
As we enter the holy season of Lent, the Church calls us to renew our lives through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. Supporting our ministry, whether through donations, volunteer service, or prayer, is a meaningful way to live out this Lenten invitation.
One immediate opportunity to do so as a parish community is our upcoming Town of Gilbert City-Wide Food Drive this weekend. We invite all parishioners to clean out their pantries and drop off non-expired food at our food bank on Saturday and Sunday February 21st & 22nd from 9:00AM – 5:00PM. We are located at 14 N. Cottonwood Drive, Gilbert, AZ 85234.
Items being collected include: pastas and sauces, rice and beans, canned meats, canned fruits and vegetables, peanut butter, jam or jelly, cereals, baby wipes, and diapers (sizes 4, 5, and 6).
Thank you for your continued support. We would be truly grateful for your presence at our food bank during this season of Lent. Volunteer shifts are available daily from 7:30AM – 11:30AM. Please visit our SignUpGenius below for more information.
In Christ,
John Caballero, Director
St. Anne Friends of the Needy
Our refrigerated trailer filled with rescued food:
Offloading a 1,200 lb pallet of rescued bell peppers:
A glimpse of our regular rescued food loads:
Over 700 lbs of rescued meat:
"It is in giving that we receive"