PHOENIX — Determination and generosity defined this Thanksgiving season, as St. Mary’s Food Bank provided nearly 22,000 turkey dinners to families in need across Arizona.
The Phoenix-based nonprofit distributed 21,982 turkey meals with all the trimmings during its annual turkey drive, now in its 40th year. The effort began earlier this month with distributions to the Navajo and Hopi tribes and concluded with a three-day push at the food bank’s locations in Phoenix and Surprise.
“If you donated a turkey to St. Mary’s Food Bank this year, they are going to be on the table of a thankful family tomorrow,” said Jerry Brown, the organization’s communications director, in a Wednesday news release.
Over 1,200 volunteers made the event possible, including special appearances by WWE stars Rey Mysterio, Dragon Lee, and Cruz Del Toro, who joined in distributing meals.
Even challenges like overheated cars, minor accidents, and unexpected emergencies didn’t stop families from receiving their meals. A pregnant woman in line at the Phoenix location went into labor and was assisted by the Phoenix Fire and Rescue Department at a nearby gas station.
Brown noted the impact of the donations, saying, “If you take the 21,982 complete meals donated and an average of five people around each table, nearly 110,000 kids, adults, and seniors around Arizona will be enjoying tomorrow’s meal through the generosity of our donors.”
St. Mary’s annual Thanksgiving tradition continues to highlight the community’s spirit of giving, ensuring thousands of Arizona families can share in the holiday festivities.
