SUN CITY GRAND LADY PUTTERS RAISE MONEY FOR A LOCAL FOOD BANK

The Sun City Grand Lady Putters have a long history of Community Service. We are so proud to announce that this year we raised $5,335 cash for the Valley View Community Food Bank. Jesse Ramirez, the founder of Valley View is not only a worthy community advocate, but a true friend of the Lady Putters.

Jesse Ramirez believes that nothing can be accomplished in a person’s life if hunger is their primary focus. The fear going hungry —or actual empty cupboards— can lead to depression, domestic violence, or even suicide. While working at West Side Food Bank in Surprise, Arizona for 21 years, he saw firsthand the kind of devastation that food insecurity can bring to a people of all ages.

In March 2007, Jesse and his family founded Valley View Community Food Bank (VVCFB) to help meet the needs of his community. His open-door policy welcomed – and continues to welcome – everyone who needs help. Originally launched in a Sun City location with 500 square feet and three volunteers, the “little food bank that could” began to grow, and by 2023 became the largest food bank in the northwest Valley, providing clients with nutritious, healthy food in a respectful, compassionate manner.

The main pantry in Sun City is open mornings Monday through Friday. Emergency food boxes are also available in El Mirage. In addition, the El Mirage location has a shared maintenance program where clients can purchase food at greatly reduced prices, a special program for seniors on Thursdays and a Farmer’s Market on Saturdays. VVCFB also does food distributions in Sun City West (Mondays), and Youngtown (Fridays). Senior clients may come weekly for additional items. Clients also access food through VVCFB’s supplemental food program and a weekly Farmer’s Market.

VVCFB is unique in that food boxes are made to made to meet clients’ health needs, family size, and food preferences. VVCFB does not income or Zip Code verify, making services available to all who request them.

In 2022, emergency food boxes were given to 393,481 individual clients. Over all, VVCFB provided 1,541,766 food boxes valued at approximately $300 apiece to needy clients. More than 161,000,000 pounds of food were distributed. VVCFB provided extra holiday food boxes at Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Families were also helped with school supplies and holiday gifts. VVCFB operates thrift stores in Sun City, Sun City West, and El Mirage to assist clients, repurpose household items, clothes and furniture, and generate income to support the pantries.

VVCFB is also supported by volunteers who work in the pantry and the thrift shops, or who organize food drives and special events.

At the height of the recent pandemic, the numbers of people seeking help soared to more than 1,000 per day. Jesse remarked, “We’re not a huge food bank, and we were used to assisting 700 people a day, so the numbers were shocking. We continue to have more and more clients in the 55 years and older age range, and seniors have become a primary concern for us. Our pantry in Sun City West is open a few hours a week, and I have seen the line stretch down the sidewalk by the time