Thunderbirds Charities has awarded The Joy Bus a generous $75,000 grant to help complete the final components of their new 6,700 square-foot kitchen, which plays a key role in the organization’s More Than a Meal Program. This grant will specifically support the final stages of outfitting the commercial kitchen, allowing The Joy Bus to better serve homebound persons with cancer in the Phoenix metro area.
“The contribution from Thunderbirds Charities will support us in equipping our kitchen and increase the meals we provide to cancer patients. With this support, we can deliver five days worth of food each week to our patrons through our More Than a Meal program… We are deeply grateful for their commitment to our mission,” said Jennifer Caraway, founder and CEO of The Joy Bus.
This funding helps The Joy Bus scale its operations from delivering two hot meals per week to each patient and caregiver to now providing five days’ worth of food, including a variety of breakfast, lunch and dinner options as well as snacks. These meals are tailored to the specific nutritional needs of people receiving cancer treatment, addressing food insecurity and malnutrition—a significant issue for patients undergoing treatment.
“Food insecurity is a reality for persons battling cancer and can stem not only from financial reasons, but also because treatments can leave our patrons extremely immunocompromised. This may affect the way food tastes, not to mention the energy needed to make a list, shop, prepare and eat healthy meals,” Caraway continued.
The Joy Bus kitchen is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, allowing them to prepare and store meals in bulk. The grant will help cover costs for essential kitchen equipment, ensuring the organization can scale up production to meet the growing demand for their services.
In addition to meals, The Joy Bus offers emotional and social support to its patrons. Volunteers deliver each meal with a wellness check, a small floral bouquet and a message of hope, helping to alleviate feelings of isolation and providing a personal connection.
The Joy Bus serves pediatric and adult cancer patients, and all services are provided free of charge. The organization has been a vital resource for the community since 2011 and continues to grow thanks to the generous support of local donors and partners like Thunderbirds Charities.
The Joy Bus Diner, located at 10401 N. 32nd Street in Phoenix, is open to the public for breakfast and lunch Thursday through Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. One hundred percent of diner proceeds benefit The Joy Bus charity.
This grant is part of the Fall 2024 cycle. View a list of all Recent Grantees.