Goodyear, Litchfield Park libraries feed the minds and mouths of the community

The Maricopa County Library District spent July 15-20 collecting nonperishable goods to support nine locally run food banks county-wide.

MCLD used to host an annual food for fines event, where cardholders and community members could bring in a nonperishable food item during a set week over the summer to cover two dollars’ worth of fines, up to $50. But after the library district went fine free in 2019, the food for fines program had a redesign to mirror a traditional food drive.

“We picked July because people often donate over the holidays and we often hear that pantry supplies dwindle in mid-summer,” said Jennifer Brown, Maricopa County Library District projects and partnership manager.

MCLD collected and distributed over 400 gallons of food items to start restocking.

“We try to choose food banks that are in the community that people are donating so that citizens are donating to people in their community,” Brown said. The Goodyear and Georgia T Lord and the Litchfield Park Library partnered with Auga Fria Food and Clothing Bank. After the food drive ends, AFFCB accepts donations and volunteer assistance on weekdays from 8 a.m. to noon at 405 E. Harrison Drive in Avondale.

AFFCB was founded in 1981 and has grown over the past 43 years from a food distribution center to fit all of the diverse needs of its clients.

Operation Manager of AFFCB Brandon Vickers grew up in the community and his education in nonprofit management led him back to serve the community that served him in his youth. Vickers says the desire to give back to the community that built them is what draws in many AFFCB volunteers.

“We really rely on our partners,” Vickers said, “there’s always a need for volunteers and donations, especially in the summer.”

Volunteers with the AFFCB aid the cities it serves with providing daily meal services, housing assistance, clean clothes, back-to-school drives and a place to shower and take shelter from the heat.

“The summer months are especially hard on our client’s and extra water um food non-p perishable items can be lifesaving to have on hand,” Vickers said.

Battling heat and hunger is not easy, and for families who may not use community services like the food bank, but rely on free or reduced school meals, summer can mean stretching resources thin.

“[The Goodyear and Litchfield Park] community is pretty engaged in the library,” said MCLD Communications Administrator Samantha Mears, “because of that, we can look at what our communities want, and shift events and programs and displays to give them what they need.”

MCLD is partnering with the St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and the Summer Food Service Pro-gram to make sure children are not going hungry.

And for Mears, food services are the tip of the iceberg. MCLD offers community services like test preparation and study services for students, writing workshops, a digital library accessible to cardholders on their phones, culture passes and COVID tests.

“We’re fighting to help libraries remain relevant,” Mears said.