Summer of Million Meals: United Food Bank, 12News fight hunger
Staff Reports | Digital Free Press
United Food Bank hosted its sixth Summer of a Million Meals fundraiser campaign in partnership with 12News to assist families in need.
The campaign ran from May 29 through Sept. 4 and raised over 2 million meals, according to a press release.
Children out of school on summer break are not able to receive free, school-provided breakfast and lunch each day, creating a higher demand for food for families in need. Consequently, summer is a season in which food banks across the nation run low on resources.
“The Summer of a Million Meals campaign is one of our most important fundraisers and we were thrilled to continue our efforts with 12News,” said Jason Reed, president and CEO of United Food Bank. “Food insecurity is a year-round problem in Arizona, but the need increases over the summer months with children on break from school. We appreciate every cent the Arizona community donated to help us provide families with access to the meals they needed this past summer.”
Throughout the summer, United Food Bank hosted three giving telethon events with local celebrity guests.
Arizonans were able to call in and make donations through the telethon events, online at azmillionmeals.org, or at any of the registers at Fry’s Food Stores or Meineke Car Care Center.
In addition, 185 volunteers from local businesses donated their time to build 7,650 emergency food bags at these telethon events.
“12News is committed to making a positive impact on our community,” said President and 12News General Manager Kate Morris. “For five years we’ve been a proud partner of United Food Bank and the Summer of a Million Meals. With the help of our partners and our generous viewers we truly came together as neighbors to create a summer of abundance for all.”
