Press Release

Phoenix Rescue Mission Announces “Fed Up!” Holiday Campaign

| Filed in Food Drive, Hunger, News Release, Phoenix Rescue Mission, Press Release

Holiday Campaign Gives Families Access to Food Boxes, Turkeys, Resources and More

 

PHOENIX  (October 19, 2021) – Phoenix Rescue Mission, a provider of Christ-centered, life-transforming solutions to persons facing hunger, homelessness, addiction, and trauma, is excited to announce the launch of its annual “Fed Up! Hungry for Change” holiday campaign, which runs now through Dec. 31.

Phoenix Rescue Mission created the campaign in 2020 to start fixing how society has dealt with hunger in the past – primarily by treating the symptoms of hunger without addressing the root causes that stem from a lack of vocational development, education, counseling, mental health services and other resources.

“The holiday season can be an especially challenging time for families facing food insecurity,” said Ken Brissa, CEO. “We’re not only aiming to give community members in need warm meals and food boxes with pantry items, but also equipping them with access to addiction recovery services, vocational development, job opportunities, counseling, case management, and many other life-transforming resources.”

The campaign relies on public support and makes it easy for Arizonans to help, either through volunteering, making a donation online or by bringing food and other needed items directly to Phoenix Rescue Mission. The campaign will feature several events, including community markets, the Frozen Turkey Saturday, a Thanksgiving outreach event, a Christmas parade and a gift drive.

Donations made to the Fed Up! campaign will support the thousands of families served each month by Phoenix Rescue Mission’s various programs, including its Hope for Hunger Food Bank, Mobile Food Pantries, Hope Coach Street Outreach services, and others designed to end the cycle of poverty.

This year’s schedule is as follows:

Nov. 4 and Dec. 2: West Phoenix Mobile Food Pantry

Created to decrease food insecurity and improve food accessibility across the Valley, Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Mobile Pantry initiative will visit the Murphy neighborhood to connect with disadvantaged families, provide them with nutritious meals, and help them access the resources to end their cycle of poverty. The public is encouraged to stop by the event at Ministerio Un Ejercito Para Cristo (4013 W. Maricopa Street) from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., or as long as supplies last.

Oct. 23 and Nov. 13: West Phoenix Community Market

Created to distribute food that are donated from sources including St. Mary’s Food Bank and the community. Food bags, hygiene items and cleaning supplies will be given to families while supplies last. The public is encouraged to stop by from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Ministerio Un Ejercito Para Cristo (4013 W. Maricopa Street). There is no cost to participate. ID is required.

For questions, please contact Angie Hatcher at (602) 346-3383 or ahatcher@phxmission.org.

Nov. 16 and Dec. 21: South Mountain Community Market

Created to distribute food and clothing items that are donated by individuals, businesses, and churches in the community. . Food bags, hygiene items and cleaning supplies will be given to families while supplies last. The public is encouraged to stop by from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the First New Life Church (1902 W. Roeser Road). There is no cost to participate. ID is required.

Nov. 13: Frozen Turkey Saturday

Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Frozen Turkey Saturday aims to collect more than 1,500 turkeys, which will be delivered directly to families in need during the Mission’s Thanksgiving Outreach Event and at the Hope for Hunger Food Bank. The public is encouraged to stop by the drive-thru event at the Mission’s Hope for Hunger Food Bank (5605 N. 55th Avenue) and donate a frozen turkey, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please contact Catie Hammann at (602) 346-3347 or gikhelp@phxmission.org if you would like to start a non-perishable foods, turkey or gift drive.

Nov. 20: Public Thanksgiving Outreach Event

Phoenix Rescue Mission’s second annual drive-thru event at Sullivan Elementary School (2 N. 31st Ave.) will distribute turkeys and sides, food bags, and hygiene kits. There is no registration required and first come are first served from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or as long as supplies last. To volunteer at this event, please sign up at phxmission.org/volunteer.

Dec. 11: Hometown Christmas Parade

Beginning at 11 a.m. on Glendale Avenue in downtown Glendale, the public is encouraged to donate canned and nonperishable foods at the parade, which will go to the families served at the Hope for Hunger Food Bank this winter.

Dec. 18: Winter Wonderland Community Event (guests by pre-registration only)

The Mission is partnering with local businesses, churches, and individuals to collect new, unwrapped toys, nonperishable foods, and toiletries. Gifts can be collected by hand or purchased on the Mission’s Amazon Charity List at phxmission.org/christmaslist. The Mission will then provide the gifts, food bags, and toiletries to families in need via its annual Winter Wonderland event. To volunteer at this event, please sign up at phxmission.org/volunteer.

For information on how to support Phoenix Rescue Mission’s “Fed Up! Hungry for Change” campaign, please visit www.phoenixrescuemission.org.

 

###

 

Phoenix Rescue Mission

Phoenix Rescue Mission provides Christ-centered, life-transforming solutions to persons facing hunger, homelessness, addiction, and trauma. The nonprofit Mission, which has been operating since 1952, is asking the public for support of its many programs designed to transform lives, including Hope for Hunger Food Bank, Hope Coach Street Outreach, Temporary Shelter Programs, Men’s Addiction Recovery Program and the Changing Lives Center for Women and Children.

Media Contact: Ivana Morales, 973-864-4523, ivana@evolveprandmarketing.com

 

Hope for Hunger Food Bank Launches “Stock the Pantry” Initiative during “Hunger Action Month”

| Filed in Hope for Hunger Food Bank, Hunger, Press Release

Hope for Hunger Food Bank Launches ‘Stock the Pantry’ Initiative During ‘Hunger Action Month'

Phoenix Rescue Mission’s food bank asking public to help address food insecurity in the Valley

PHOENIX (September 1, 2021) – Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Hope for Hunger Food Bank is launching its “Stock the Pantry” campaign, a month-long food drive beginning on September 1 to support the high number of families suffering from food insecurity, largely as a result of the ongoing pandemic.

Stock the Pantry will coincide with Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign championed by Feeding America to stand against hunger and raise awareness of the millions of children and adults who aren’t getting the proper food they need to thrive. Locally, the number of families experiencing food insecurity is increasing faster than current supplies can maintain, which is why Hope for Hunger is asking the public to help “Stock the Pantry.” Supporters of the campaign can bring dry and canned foods directly to Hope for Hunger in Glendale or donate online at phxmission.org/stockthepantry

“One in eight Arizona households rely on food banks to feed their families; meaning, many of our neighbors are struggling to make ends meet right now,” said Phoenix Rescue Mission CEO, Ken Brissa. “Families that never dreamed of needing help with food are finding themselves outside our doors. There’s no telling how many more will need help in the weeks and months ahead.”

Arizona reported the 3rd highest poverty rate among the nation’s 25 largest metro areas, with one in five children suffering from hunger, according to statistics measured prior to the pandemic. As the pandemic continues to impact the local community, the number of children suffering from food insecurity is only expected to rise, especially in the next few months. Phoenix Rescue Mission and Hope for Hunger are addressing the problem of food insecurity holistically, not only treating the hunger symptoms but also the root causes, by providing job training, help with required certifications and education, counseling and other resources.

“We are fighting hunger in our communities in several ways,” said Brissa. “For one, we are feeding hundreds in our residential recovery programs. In addition, we’ve established vocational training programs while simultaneously offering food at our Hope for Hunger Food Bank, which is one of the largest food banks in the Valley serving more than 150 people per day. Finally, we’re helping struggling families with groceries and hygiene supplies at our Community Market and Mobile Food Pantries.”

Families across the Valley will immediately benefit from the Stock the Pantry campaign, thanks to the streamlined, mobile efforts of Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Community Engagement teams. In fact, staff and volunteers can quickly distribute food and resources to various high-demand regions of the metropolitan area via several targeted Mobile Food Pantries. This allows Phoenix Rescue Mission to bypass transportation barriers that have traditionally kept many families from receiving the food and resources they so desperately need.

“We are acutely aware of the fact that the Valley has many food desserts, where there’s not only a lack of food in the regions but most families living there don’t even have transportation to get to a food pantry,” said Brissa. “That’s where we come in. We’ve targeted several regions where we can set up shop in those neighborhoods and get this food to those who need it most. But we can’t do that without the help from the public, and that’s what Stock the Pantry is all about – raising awareness of the need and motivating the public into action.”

For more information and to learn about Phoenix Rescue Mission and Hope for Hunger Food Bank, please visit www.PhoenixRescueMission.org

 

Phoenix Rescue Mission:

Phoenix Rescue Mission provides Christ-centered, life-transforming solutions to persons facing hunger, homelessness, addiction, and trauma. The nonprofit Mission, which has been operating since 1952, is asking the public for support of its many programs designed to transform lives, including Hope for Hunger Food Bank, Hope Coach Street Outreach, Temporary Shelter Programs, Men’s Addiction Recovery Program and the Changing Lives Center for Women and Children.

 

Media Contact:

Ryan Brown, Phoenix Rescue Mission, cell: (302) 359-6780, rbrown@phxmission.org

“Scottsdale Works” program sees immediate success

| Filed in Homelessness, News Release, Phoenix Rescue Mission, Press Release

The city of Scottsdale and Phoenix Rescue Mission are celebrating a successful first month of Scottsdale Works – Brick by Brick, an integrated workforce development program that aims to reduce homelessness in Scottsdale and put the city’s homeless to work.

“This program has been a blessing to both the participants and the community because people are getting connected to resources to end their homelessness,” said Phoenix Rescue Mission Street Outreach Supervisor Gabe Priddy.

One individual, Jason Smith, recently received keys to his first home since his life on the streets began in the mid-1990s.

Mr. Smith found work with Scottsdale’s program, which instilled in him a sense of worth and gave him hope that he could end his cycle of homelessness after all.

Read the news article on YourValley.net

Watch the news video from Fox10Phoenix.com

Phoenix Rescue Mission Launches “Fed Up! Hungry for Change” Holiday Campaign

| Filed in Food Drive, Hunger, News Release, Phoenix Rescue Mission, Press Release

Three-month effort to help families in poverty and those affected by COVID-19

 PHOENIX (Sept. 29, 2020) – Arizona has the 3rd highest poverty rate among the nation’s 25 largest metro areas, with one in five children suffering from hunger, according to statistics measured prior to the pandemic. In response, Phoenix Rescue Mission is launching its “Fed Up! Hungry for Change” holiday campaign, Thursday, Oct. 1.

The campaign, which runs through Dec. 31, kicks off with a Mobile Food Pantry event on October 1 in Phoenix. The Mobile Food Pantry is open to the public and designed to improve food accessibility across the Valley, especially in impoverished areas where families may not have transportation to travel to get the help they need. Those who stop by the event, located at 4013 W. Maricopa Street, will be provided food assistance and have the opportunity to connect with services designed to lift them out of poverty.

Phoenix Rescue Mission created the Fed Up! campaign as a response to the way in which society has dealt with hunger for too long – primarily by treating the symptoms of hunger without addressing the root causes, which stem from a lack of vocational development, education, counseling, mental health services and other resources.

“This is Phoenix Rescue Mission’s shout to the community that we are not satisfied with the status quo and we’re shedding a light on the root causes of hunger,” Phoenix Rescue Mission CEO Ken Brissa said.

Public support for this effort is needed now more than ever, due to the recent pandemic and its effects on the economy. While the hunger crisis in Phoenix has existed long before COVID-19, the problem has since become more prevalent because of the thousands of families that have lost jobs, been furloughed, or have otherwise seen their income dry up with no warning over the past few months.

The Fed Up! campaign makes it easy for the public to help stop hunger by providing a means in which anyone can help, either through a small donation online or by bringing food and other needed items directly to Phoenix Rescue Mission. The campaign will feature several events, including its Frozen Turkey Saturday on Nov. 14 and Food Box Delivery Day on Nov.  21, aimed not only at feeding those suffering from hunger during the holiday season, but also connecting them with resources to end their cycle of poverty.

“The holidays can be difficult for struggling families, especially as others across the Valley prepare their celebratory feasts and purchase gifts,” Brissa said.

“Imagine being a parent and having to tell your child that there won’t be any gifts this year – now imagine there won’t be any food either. We can do something to prevent that.”

The public is encouraged to get involved with the Fed Up! campaign this holiday season, either by volunteering time, donating food and other items, or make a monetary donation. Donations made to the Fed Up! campaign will support the thousands of families served each month by Phoenix Rescue Mission’s various programs, including its Hope for Hunger Food Bank, Mobile Food Pantries, Hope Coach Street Outreach services, and many others designed to lift families out of hard times and end their cycle of poverty.

“We need the Valley to come together in support of our hurting neighbors this holiday season, while helping us advance long-term solutions for ending hunger once and for all in our communities,” Brissa said.

“This starts with equipping our community members with access to addiction recovery services, vocational development, job opportunities, counseling, case management, and many other programs.”

This year’s public events include:

Thursday, Oct. 1: Mobile Pantry

Created to decrease food insecurity and improve food accessibility across the Valley, Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Mobile Pantry initiative will visit the Murphy neighborhood, southwest of downtown, to connect with disadvantaged families, provide them with nutritious meals, and help them access the resources to end their cycle of poverty. The public is encouraged to stop by the event at Ministerio Un Ejercito Para Cristo (4013 W. Maricopa Street, Phoenix, AZ 85009) from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., or as long as supplies last. Phoenix Rescue Mission will be following CDC guidelines and asks visitors to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Every 3rd Tuesday: Oct. 20, Nov. 17, Dec. 15: Free Community Markets

This brand-new venture came about in response to the growing need of those who are not only struggling to make ends meet, but also located in regions where support is limited; and they do not have the means to travel for help. Each Free Community Market will provide food and necessities that are donated from sources, including St. Mary’s Food Bank and the community as a whole. Food bags and hygiene items will be given to families while supplies last. The public is encouraged to stop by from 9-11 a.m. at First New Life Church (1902 W. Roeser Road, Phoenix 85041). There is no cost to participate. ID is required.

For questions, please contact Rachel Stacke at (602)-346-3383 or rstacke@phxmission.org

Saturday, Nov. 14: Frozen Turkey Saturday

Phoenix Rescue Mission’s Frozen Turkey Saturday aims to collect more than 2,000 turkeys, which will be delivered directly to families in need during the Mission’s Thanksgiving Meal Distribution Day and at their Hope for Hunger Food Bank. The public is encouraged to stop by the drive-thru event at the Mission’s Hope for Hunger Food Bank (5605 N. 55th Avenue, Glendale, AZ 85301) and bring a frozen turkey, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Please contact Catie Hammann at (602) 346-3347 or gikhelp@phxmission.org if you would like to start a non-perishable foods or turkey drive.

Saturday, Nov. 21: Public Thanksgiving Meal Distribution Day

Because Phoenix Rescue Mission cannot delivery Thanksgiving meals directly as in the past, the Mission will fulfill its goal of serving 400 families this year by working with volunteers to operate a drive-thru event at Sullivan Elementary School (2 N 31st Ave., Phoenix 85009) to distribute turkeys and sides, food bags, and hygiene kits. There is no registration required and first come are first served from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. or as long as supplies last. To volunteer at this event, please sign up at prm.volunteerhub.com.

Saturday, Dec. 12: Winter Wonderland Community Event (guests by pre-registration only)

The Mission is partnering with local businesses, churches, and individuals to collect new, unwrapped toys, small household items, and personal gifts. The Mission will then provide the gifts to families in need via its annual Winter Wonderland event. This year, Phoenix Rescue Mission hopes to serve as many as 400 children during the event, which will also be conducted in drive-thru fashion. Families will be pre-registered through local schools our Community Market outreach events. Families will also receive food assistance and toiletries to supply them through the Christmas season. To volunteer at this event, please sign up at prm.volunteerhub.com.

Please contact Catie Hammann at (602) 346-3347 or gikhelp@phxmission.org if you would like to hold a gift or food drive.

 

###

 

Phoenix Rescue Mission

Phoenix Rescue Mission is a leading provider of Christ-centered, life-transforming solutions to persons facing hunger, homelessness, addiction, and trauma. The nonprofit Mission, which has been operating since 1952, is asking the public for support of its many programs designed to transform lives, including Hope for Hunger Food Bank, Hope Coach Street Outreach, Temporary Shelter Programs, Men’s Addiction Recovery Program, and the Changing Lives Center for Women and Children.

Media Contacts:

Ryan Brown, Phoenix Rescue Mission, cell: (302) 359-6780, rbrown@phxmission.org

Josh Skalniak, Lambert & Co., cell: (480) 352-2050, jskalniak@lambert.com

 

 

 

Meet the Staff: Nathan Smith, Our CPO

| Filed in Code Red, Community Outreach, Mission Dish, News Release, Phoenix Rescue Mission, Press Release

Ever wonder what fuels the fire in the hearts of our staff for the homeless and hurting? Starting this month, we’ll be introducing you to the outstanding men and women who work tirelessly to see lives transformed – to get a peek into what brought them to the Mission and what keeps them going.

Ask anyone on campus and they’ll tell you: Nathan Smith has a huge heart for the homeless. But it didn’t start out that way.

“I wasn’t necessarily callous to helping people with great needs,” Nathan remembers. “I just never paid any attention to that as a kid.” It wasn’t until his first missions trip to India that his life, and his heart, changed forever. Nathan not only found his calling while he was in India, he found his wife – who was serving in the medical clinics of the same missions’ field.

“Years later, I was having trouble getting out to India to continue my mission work because I was building a family here. That’s when I was challenged by my grandmother-in-law to do more work locally. I started working with the homeless, which blossomed into a church ministry. From there, I met Jay Cory (former President and CEO of Phoenix Rescue Mission) who got me started at an entry-level position at the Mission.”

At the Mission, Nathan flourished. In just six short years, he’s risen through the ranks from Project Coordinator to Project Manager to Director of Community Engagement. During that time, he was instrumental in the expansion of the Mission’s reach into regions like Glendale, where he and his team saved the city’s largest food bank from closing for good.

Nathan’s team reopened Hope For Hunger Food Bank and increased the output of the previous ownership by more than 50% – serving more than 160 families per day under his watch. He was also a key player in the formation of Glendale Works, an integrated workforce development program aimed at reducing homelessness in Glendale by providing homeless individuals day-work cleaning city property.

In May, he accepted the position of Chief Program Officer!

“God has put me in these different spots to expose me to what it means to be a leader, what it means to work with people who are really, really down and out and it’s prepared me to take that on at a higher administrative level. I couldn’t be more thankful for the path He put me on to get here.”

Congratulations on your promotion, Nathan. We can’t wait to see how God uses you next!