As food bank lines grow longer, Goodyear officials honored three community leaders working to meet that challenge through collaboration, service and private-sector partnership.
The city named Jeremiah Smith as Citizen of the Year, the meal delivery company Factor as Corporate Citizen of the Year and high school junior Shyanne Blair as Youth of the Year, recognizing efforts that span homelessness prevention, food insecurity and youth civic engagement.
Sustaining homeless services
Smith, a longtime Goodyear resident and nonprofit consultant, was recognized for helping stabilize and strengthen community-based organizations, including efforts that helped preserve the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Program, which provides temporary shelter and support for people experiencing homelessness.
When the program faced the loss of funding, Smith worked to secure financial backing and helped the organization hire a program manager to keep operations running. Faith-based partners said his ability to connect people, identify funding sources and fill operational gaps allowed the program to continue serving vulnerable residents.
“Nonprofit work is all I’ve ever done,” Smith said in a recorded message. “If I get to be part of helping to build healthy nonprofits in this place where I live, I believe that’s going to contribute to creating the place that I want to be a part of.”
City leaders described his approach as emblematic of a broader strategy in Goodyear, bringing together municipal officials, faith organizations and nonprofit leaders to address emerging needs before programs disappear.
Private-sector response to food insecurity
The Corporate Citizen of the Year award went to Factor, ready to eat meals, for its efforts to reduce food waste while expanding access to meals.
In November 2025, the company donated three fully stocked refrigerated vans to local food bank partners, including All Faith Community Services, Agua Fria Food Bank and St. Mary’s Food Bank. The company also committed to providing weekly pallet deliveries of prepared meals to each organization.
Company officials said the vans allow food banks to transport fresh produce and prepared meals safely and efficiently, expanding distribution capacity in a region where hunger remains a persistent issue. In Arizona, roughly one in seven people struggles with food insecurity, according to company representatives.
Factor’s Goodyear facility, which opened in 2023, donates surplus meals before expiration and has expanded efforts to include prepared food, redirecting items that might otherwise go to waste.
“It’s really about supporting our local families, reducing food, waste, and helping in our community,” said Josh Moody, a Factor representative.
Youth leadership on the rise
Blair, an 11th-grade student at Estrella Foothills High School, was recognized for her leadership in the school’s Interact Club, a service organization that coordinates volunteer projects and charitable drives.
Under her leadership, the club increased its annual canned food drive from about 400 items last year to more than 600 this year. She also volunteers at community events and local charities while balancing a rigorous academic schedule.
“I feel that it’s very important that we’re giving back and spreading kindness,” Blair said. “Just knowing that I am making a little impact … definitely motivates me to keep going.”
School officials described her as committed and consistent, noting that youth engagement in service projects plays a key role in building long-term civic involvement.
As Goodyear continues to grow, leaders say the collaboration between residents, nonprofits, schools and private businesses will be critical to ensuring that economic development is matched by community investment.
“I always like to do a shoutout to our residents because when we need them, they step up,” Mayor Joe Pizzillo said during the ceremony. “In 2025, we brought the community together… It’s important that people feel pride in their community.”
Visit goodyearaz.gov for more information.
James Goldmeer Reporter | Goodyear & Litchfield Park
Meet James James Goldmeer joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2024, starting their career as a reporter in Goodyear and Litchfield Park.
Community: James grew up in the West Valley, calling Avondale home and going to school in Glendale and Peoria. Returning to the community after university, James plans to get involved in everything arts and culture, and civil rights.
Education: Northern Arizona University a bachelor's degree in Journalism, a certificate in Professional Communications, with a minor in English.
Random Fact: James spent half a year as an intern for the Arizona House of Representatives communication team, working with legislators to inform the public through press releases and social media.
Hobbies: James collects postcards and old books, reads memoirs and attends local jazz shows.
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