State of Friends of the Needy Food Bank
“Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.” (John 6:12)
“Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.” (John 6:12)
Dear St. Anne Parish Family,
Now that we have closed another fiscal year and begin looking toward the year ahead, I wanted to share a brief “state of the food bank” with our parish community. St. Anne Friends of the Needy has always belonged, in a very real way, to the people of St. Anne. What began as a small parish outreach that saw and met the needs of those suffering in the community has grown into a ministry that now serves approximately 1,500 households each month.
Every week, food is distributed to families on four mornings: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. But what many people do not see is that the work of the food bank continues all seven days of the week. Volunteers are rescuing food from local stores, unloading trucks, sorting produce, checking dates, organizing bread, preparing boxes, cleaning, repairing, driving routes, praying with clients, and quietly doing the hidden work that makes our operation possible.
On average, Friends of the Needy rescues approximately 21,000 pounds of food each week through grocery rescue, helping keep good food from going to the landfill. Each family food box weighs roughly 40 to 50 pounds, depending on what has been donated and what is available that day. With hundreds of families coming each week, this means that thousands of pounds of food are moved, sorted, and distributed by volunteers every single week.
These numbers are important, but they do not tell the whole story. Behind every number is a family or individual. Behind every box is a mother, father, grandparent, child, neighbor, or person carrying a burden we may never fully know. And behind every distribution day is the generosity of donors and volunteers who make this mission possible.
To our donors: Thank you. Every financial gift, every bag of groceries, every case of diapers, every act of generosity helps us continue this work. Your support allows us to keep serving families in a time when the cost of food, rent, utilities, and basic necessities continues to weigh heavily on many households. Your generosity is a real participation in the works of mercy.
To our volunteers: Thank you. The dedication of our volunteers is one of the great hidden treasures of this parish. Many arrive early in the morning, driving routes before most people have begun their day. Some carry heavy boxes in the heat. Some sort food that must be checked carefully and quickly. Some patiently serve families in line in 100-degree weather. Some work quietly in the background and are rarely seen. This ministry could not exist without you.
One thing Friends of the Needy has taught me is to trust more deeply in the providence of God. Week after week, food arrives, volunteers show up, needs are met, and even when challenges remain, we are reminded that this work is not ours alone; it belongs to God. At the same time, trusting in God’s providence does not mean operating without order. If God provides, then we have a responsibility to be good stewards of what He gives.
For that reason, as we enter this new fiscal year, we are looking carefully at how we serve. Over the past year, the food bank has grown significantly. The amount of food coming in, the number of families being served, the speed of distribution, and the workload placed on staff and volunteers have all increased. We have also seen that when we try to serve beyond our realistic capacity, it can create disorder, stress, inconsistent boxes, waste, and difficulty preparing for the very next distribution day.
To address this, we are working toward a more consistent daily capacity for distribution. This means that on each distribution day, we will serve within a set limit based on our available food supply, volunteer capacity, and ability to prepare complete and balanced food boxes. Once that day’s capacity is reached, families may be asked to return on the next distribution day, except in cases of serious emergency.
This is not an easy decision, and we know that some may struggle with it, but it is important to understand the reason behind it. Friends of the Needy provides supplemental food assistance. We are here to help families stretch what they already have, whether from their own grocery purchases, SNAP or WIC benefits, another food pantry, family support, or other assistance. We are not the only food bank in Gilbert or the East Valley, and we cannot responsibly operate as though we alone must meet every need without limit.
Our responsibility is to serve well, fairly, and sustainably. If we empty everything we have in one distribution, we may begin the next distribution without enough food to prepare proper boxes. This creates stress for volunteers, pressure on staff, and an unhealthy cycle of rushing to find more food at the last minute. It also risks giving some families far more than they can realistically use, while leaving future families with less.
As Catholics, we are called not only to generosity, but also to prudence. The Lord did not tell His disciples to waste what remained after the multiplication of the loaves. He told them, “Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.” That command speaks directly to our work and the gift of the goods we receive. Pope Benedict XVI reminds us in Deus Caritas Est that charitable work requires not only a heart formed by Christ, but also competence and order. We must steward all of it well.
Going forward, our goal is to provide a fair, balanced, and consistent food box to each household we serve. When we have extra food, especially perishable items that need to move quickly, we will continue to distribute generously. But our normal practice must be guided by stewardship, fairness, and sustainability rather than emotion or pressure in the moment.
St. Anne Friends of the Needy remains committed to serving anyone who comes to us in need, regardless of faith, background, or circumstance. We will continue to welcome families with the love of Christ. We will continue to rescue food, distribute food, and respond to real emergencies as best we can. But we must also continue growing in order, structure, and stewardship so that this ministry can remain strong for years to come.
I am deeply grateful to our parish, our donors, our volunteers, our staff, and all who have supported Friends of the Needy in seen and unseen ways. In a special way, I am grateful for those who carry the daily weight of this mission with faithfulness and perseverance. This ministry is sustained by God’s providence and by the many hands He sends to help carry the work.
Please continue to pray for this ministry, for the families we serve, and for the volunteers and staff who serve them. Pray that we may always remain faithful to Christ in the poor, careful with what has been entrusted to us, and courageous enough to make the decisions necessary for the good of the whole mission.
God bless you.
In Christ,
John Caballero
Director
St. Anne Friends of the Needy
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Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer Drivers Needed
St. Anne Friends of the Needy is in need of volunteer drivers Monday through Sunday. Each route and shift is a little different, so please reach out to us directly for more information.
Volunteer Line: 480-955-6867
Saturday Group Volunteer Opportunities
If you have a group of 10–15 people who would like to volunteer on a Saturday, we have opportunities to help sort food, prepare boxes, and load food into clients’ cars.
Saturday shift: 7:30 AM – 11:30 AM
To schedule a group, please contact our volunteer line: 480-955-6867
Weekday Volunteer Opportunities
There are also volunteer opportunities during the week. Please see our SignUpGenius below for available shifts.
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink...