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Food Bank observes 15 years combating hunger

Posted 5/28/19

Hunger and poverty will always exist, believes Pastor David W. Iverson, executive director of Extended Hands Food Bank.

For the past 15 years, he has tried to reduce hunger by operating the local …

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Food Bank observes 15 years combating hunger

Posted

Hunger and poverty will always exist, believes Pastor David W. Iverson, executive director of Extended Hands Food Bank.

For the past 15 years, he has tried to reduce hunger by operating the local food bank where anyone hungry and in financial need can find a helping hand.

An open house is planned from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday, July 20, at its leased facility, 16548 E. Laser Drive, unit 6.

In the spring of 2004, Iverson learned that the existing St. Dominic’s Food Bank was going to close. His first decision was to change the name to Extended Hands Food Bank, referring to a line in a hymn: “Oh to be His hands extended, reaching out to the oppressed.”

“I’ve always been involved in getting food to people,” said Iverson. He grew up in the grocery store business, separating pop bottles as a youngster.

While attending college, he worked in supermarkets where he learned about the importance of food safety for perishable meats, dairy and deli items.

He helped start and directed a food bank in Flagstaff in 1995. The facility contracted with St. Mary’s Food Bank and continues operating.

In his first seven years as a youth pastor in Southern California, Iverson picked up extra income working part-time in food warehouses and grocery stores.

Since 2004, demand for the food bank has continued to increase.

“When the economy tanked in 2008 and homes were going into foreclosures, we jumped to resolve that problem,” said Iverson.

The food bank went from serving 100 to 300 families almost overnight.

“Through the help of the community, we stayed on top of it.

“People come in all the time looking for work. If businesses in town aren’t doing well, folks are coming to the food bank for help. Finding work in Fountain Hills is a challenge. These folks don’t have the dollars to drive to Phoenix for work.”

The food bank feeds 1, 100 to 1,200 individuals monthly. Eligibility income is at or below the federal poverty guidelines.

Senior citizens and children are the largest category. “Everyone else falls in between those two groups,” Iverson said.

The bulk of food donations come from Target and three local supermarkets, Safeway, Fry’s and Bashas’. The perishable items consist mainly of bread products, produce, dairy and deli.

The food pantry receives no federal or state subsidies in either funds or food. Other donations come from volunteer food drives, including one conducted by the U. S. Postal Service letter carriers.

Volunteers are essential to the operation. Individuals who can lift 50 pounds and have a clean driving record are needed to pick up donations from the supermarkets.

Most of the current 50 volunteers work one day a week. “Some volunteers are here almost every time the doors are open,” Iverson added. Saturdays bring service clubs and family groups.

Hours of operation are Monday, Friday and Saturday, 9 to 10:45 a.m., and Tuesday, 3 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. The telephone number is 480-837-0303.