Local food banks are seeing a spike in demand as many parents are spread thin financially, purchasing school supplies and other back to school expenses.

Larry H. Miller Dealerships recently announced a partnership with two of Arizona’s largest food banks, St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix and the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona in Tucson, on a month-long “Food Fuels Learning” campaign to help children who are back in the classroom with the food they need for academic success, according to a release.

The campaign will support the backpack program at St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, which provides children who are chronically hungry with a weekly food bag to help their families through the weekend. The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona’s School Pantries Program in Tucson works to alleviate hunger by providing resources to low-income families via food pantries at convenient locations. Both programs are vital for school performance among children across the state.

“We know childhood hunger is a very real problem in Arizona, and families are struggling now more than ever to stay afloat during this time,” Pat Kroneberger, senior vice president of operations for Larry H. Miller Dealerships, said in the release. “Our company is focused on supporting children in their health and education, and we hope this month-long drive will help fill a void at the local food banks and provide nutrition to students to support their learning.”

Now through Sept. 30, Larry H. Miller Dealerships is encouraging its employees and the public to help fill a vehicle at each of its 12 dealerships across Metro Phoenix and Tucson with nonperishable food items to help children go back to school with proper food and nutrition. Some of the most needed items include peanut butter, cereal, canned fruits and vegetables, rice, beans, pasta, and canned meats (tuna, chicken, and beef).

The “Food Fuels Learning” campaign will culminate in October, when a caravan of Larry H. Miller Dealerships vehicles stuffed with non-perishable food will deliver the donations to the food banks, the release states.

Food Fuels Learning drop-off locations include:

• Larry H. Miller Ford Mesa, 460 E. Auto Center Drive in Mesa; and
• Larry H. Miller Nissan Mesa, 2025 Riverview Auto Drive in Mesa.

Go to lhmauto.com.