ICS Fall Food Drive Spans the City through October 31

Interfaith Community Services’ annual Fall Food Drive is underway to fill ICS food banks with provisions to feed those in need throughout the holiday season. The community is invited to contribute to the drive by dropping off food donations at public collection sites located throughout the city. The food drive runs through October 31.

Thanks to new and expanded partnerships, this year’s drive offers more public collection sites than ever before. Edward Jones Financial Advisor offices, Town of Oro Valley buildings, and 10 Pima County Public Library branches are welcoming donations from the public. See the full list of collection sites below.

The annual October drive is the biggest food drive of the year at ICS. In addition to collecting pantry staples to stock the Northwest and Mobile Food Banks, the Drive brings in seasonal foods that allow ICS clients to enjoy a special holiday meal with their families.

“When money is tight, people can be faced with a choice between buying groceries, paying a utility bill, or filling the gas tank to get to work. The holiday season puts additional strain on budgets already at the breaking point,” says Tom McKinney, CEO of ICS. “A food allotment from our food banks helps stretch the money to meet more household needs. And a holiday food box supports the traditions that strengthen and unify families – the building blocks of strong communities.”

ICS welcomes donations of pantry staples year-round. The most-needed items include peanut butter, canned meats (tuna, chicken, and Spam), meals in cans with pop tops like chili and ravioli, canned fruit and veggies, boxed baking mixes like Jiffy and Bisquick, canned pasta sauce and pasta, and diapers (child and adult sizes) and wipes.

During the Fall Food Drive, ICS also asks for donations of holiday food items such as instant or fresh potatoes and yams, cranberry sauce, canned green beans and corn, cream of mushroom soup, boxed and bagged stuffing mix, gravy mix or canned gravy, and canned pumpkin. Monetary donations are being collected at icstucson.org/donate to buy whole turkeys and chickens to complete the meal.

ICS invites organizations of all kinds to participate in the Fall Food Drive by holding a team drive. Schools, faith communities, workplaces, clubs, neighborhoods, sports teams, scout troops, and other organizations can collect food as a group, then drop off one big donation at an ICS location or partner site. ICS will highlight participating groups on social media with the hashtag #ICSfallfood.

The month-long event will culminate in a Fall Food Drive DRIVE, with the Mobile Food Bank Truck driving around the city on October 30 to pick up large donations from participating faith communities, businesses, and organizations.

Visit icstucson.org/fallfood for more information about the Fall Food Drive.

FOOD DROP-OFF LOCATIONS: See Video of locations

ICS Northwest Food Bank, 2820 W. Ina Rd

on the campus of Christ the King Episcopal Church

Monday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Tuesday: 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Wednesday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Thursday: 8 a.m.-6:30 p.m.

Friday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.

Saturday: 8-11 a.m.

ICS Central Office, 122 N. Craycroft Rd

on the campus of Rincon Congregational UCC

Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

ICS Eastside Food Drop-off, 8701 E. Old Spanish Trail

on the campus of New Spirit Lutheran Church

Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

Edward Jones Financial Advisor Offices

All offices in Tucson, Oro Valley, and Green Valley are participating. View a full list.

Town of Oro Valley Administration Building

11000 N. La Cañada Drive

Oro Valley Recreation Center

10555 N. La Cañada Drive

Pima County Public Libraries

Nanini Branch: 7300 N. Shannon Road

Catalina Branch: 15631 N. Oracle Rd., #199

Oro Valley Branch: 1305 W. Naranja Dr.

Dusenberry-River Branch: 5605 E. River Rd., Ste. 105

Flowing Wells Branch: 1730 W. Wetmore Rd.

Wheeler Taft Abbett Branch: 7800 N. Schisler Dr.

Woods Memorial Branch: 3455 N. First Ave.

Richard Elias Mission Branch: 3770 S. Mission Rd.

Murphy Wilmot Branch: 530 N. Wilmot Rd.

Sahuarita Branch: 670 Sahuarita Rd W