The Kiwanis Club of Carefree announced Friday in a release it has provided funding for 1,000 meals to the Foothills Food Bank to distribute across the community.

Ususally a two-holiday initiative, the Kiwanis Club shifted to help the food bank due to a spike in demand.

Foothills Food Bank Executive Director Leigh Zydonik shared with Kiwanis leadership that requests for Thanksgiving food assistance have increased by one-third compared to last year.

Originally, Kiwanis planned to support 1,000 total families across both holidays. However, due to overwhelming need, that entire number will be met at Thanksgiving alone, the release stated.

Zydonik attributed the surge in part to the Food Bank’s new Carefree Highway location, which is closer to a larger population of food-insecure households. As a result, the organization is seeing more visitors than anticipated.

Zydonik also noted the temporary suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  — formerly known as food stamps — likely has intensified the strain on local families, increasing the urgency for community support.

“Kiwanis exists to serve children and families,” said Tom Pozarycki, Funds Request Committee Member for the Kiwanis Club of Carefree, in the release. “When the Food Bank told us how sharply need had risen, we knew we had to act quickly. We are proud to support Foothills Food Bank and the neighbors who depend on it.”

The Kiwanis Club of Carefree remains committed to addressing food insecurity and supporting local nonprofits that make a direct impact on the community.