Midwest Food Bank Arizona is grateful for the support of Thunderbirds Charities to address food insecurity amongst At-Risk Youth and Families

Midwest Food Bank Arizona is grateful for the support of Thunderbirds Charities to address food insecurity amongst At-Risk Youth and Families

This grant will be used to boost access to nutritious food for at-risk youth and low-income families facing food insecurity throughout the Greater Phoenix Metropolitan Area. MFB packages a nutritious, instant-, protein-packed rice and bean meal called “Tender Mercies”. We pledge to distribute an additional 125,000 meals, always without cost, to our partner agencies that serve people of all ages and backgrounds facing food insecurity across Maricopa and Pinal Counties. Specifically, these highly nutritious meals will be distributed to low-income families and at-risk youth that are located in food deserts, meaning they do not have easy access to grocery stores and a variety of healthy foods. The goal is to help people maintain their health through access to nutritious foods.

The Tender Mercies meal packet consists of high-grade rice, pre-cooked pinto beans, fortified chicken seasoning, and soy protein. The result is delicious food at the cost of 25 cents per meal. One packet feeds four people with 13 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, and 1 gram of fat per serving.

“An estimated 1 in 8 Arizonans are food insecure. These people face adverse physical health, poor emotional well-being, and academic setbacks. Our “Tender Mercies” program helps to fill the nutritional gap that people are facing by providing a high protein option,” says Merilee Baptiste, Executive Director of Midwest Food Bank – Arizona Division.

Midwest Food Bank Arizona

This grant is part of the Fall 2024 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.