The coronavirus is creating more demand for food and Valley View Community Food Bank is in need of more donations, according to Jesse Ramirez, founder and director.
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I am anchor
Valley View needs more donations
Coroniavirus creates more demand
Posted
We are mobilizing to answer as many requests for help as possible. In one day I received more than 160 calls on my emergency phone from people desperate for assistance.”
Jesse Ramirez, Valley View Community Food Bank founder and director
Valley View Community Food Bank 10771 W. Peoria Ave. Sun City, AZ
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The coronavirus is creating more demand for food and Valley View Community Food Bank is in need of more donations, according to Jesse Ramirez, founder and director.
He said the closure of schools and some businesses is sending more people to the food bank, 10771 W. Peoria Ave., Sun City for help. The nonprofit organization is seeing as many as 500 clients per day, many of whom have not sought help previously.
“We are mobilizing to answer as many requests for help as possible,” Mr. Ramirez stated in an email. “In one day I received more than 160 calls on my emergency phone from people desperate for assistance.”
Food counselors and other agencies are also turning to VVCFB for help, he added.
Items needed to be donated include food, personal hygiene items and cleaning and sanitation supplies. Mr. Ramirez stated the cost of staple food items, such as rice and beans — if these items can even be acquired right now — have doubled and tripled.
“So monetary donations to facilitate the purchase of needed resources is extremely helpful,” Mr. Ramirez stated.
Particularly sought after are such essential items as those to make soup, canned tomatoes and fresh produce.
Additional volunteers are also needed as some regular Valley View workers are in the high risk category for coronavirus and cannot assist the food bank, according to Mr. Ramirez. Volunteers are needed to help prepare food boxes and deliver boxes to homebound seniors in the Sun Cities.
“All health and safety protocols are being observed, and we are sanitizing three times per day,” Mr. Ramirez stated. “We have purchased gloves, face masks and hand sanitizers. We are taking every precaution to keep our volunteers, employees and clients safe.”
To donate, visit feedingaz.org. To volunteer to help pack boxes or deliver food in the Sun Cities, call Martha Ovalle, volunteer coordinator, at 602-486-4285.
Rusty Bradshaw News Editor | Sun City &
Sun City West @SunCitiesEditor
Rusty Bradshaw is a 40-year veteran of community journalism, having worked at newspapers in Wyoming, Oregon and Arizona. He has been with Independent Newsmedia 15 years.
Rusty earned a junior college certificate from Northwest College in Powell, Wyoming and a bachelor of science degree from Eastern Oregon University in LaGrande Oregon.
An avid football fan, Rusty also enjoys photography, reading, spending time outdoors and enjoying life with his wife. He also authored three books of fiction, “The Rehabilitation of Miss Little,” “Moist on the Mountain” and "Gorge Justice." Visit www.rustythewriter.org.
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