Phoenix-area food banks expect record need this holiday season — again

Food banks across the Valley are gearing up for a busy holiday season as the COVID-19 pandemic stretches into its 20th month, further exacerbating hunger and need.

Last year was a recordbreaking year for most local food pantries, especially around the Thanksgiving holiday, with thousands of food boxes and turkeys handed out to families and individuals who needed a little extra help amid the pandemic’s economic fallout. While job recovery is on the rise and things appear to be getting back to some normalcy, many community members still go hungry.

Jesse Ramirez founded the Valley View Community Food Bank in 2007 and said this year’s holiday distribution will likely top them all.