U-Haul® volunteers recently helped St. Mary’s Food Bank put a fresh spin on its mission to provide food for people in need across Arizona.
Thanks to St. Mary’s partnership with meal-kit company HelloFresh®, people facing food insecurity can now receive both an emergency food box as well as a bag with ingredients and instructions for ready-to-make meals.
These meals, which include options such as squash and bean pasta or BBQ chicken with mashed potatoes, are balanced and healthy options. With the partnership providing thousands of meals per week, volunteers are needed to assemble the bags.
That’s where U-Haul stepped in during its latest efforts to benefit its longtime charity partner St. Mary’s.
An opportunity like no other
U-Haul Sales and Reservations manager Scotty Butler has volunteered at St. Mary’s Food Bank a few times. He is still awed by the results of each food-packing session.
“My favorite part is seeing all the bags and boxes of food that we manage to pack every time,” Butler said. “I’m proud to know that families will be able to enjoy some nice meals together because of the work we did, and I’m thankful for the opportunity to give back in some small way. Grocery prices are ridiculous right now. The least I can do is help out people who are struggling.
“I’m grateful U-Haul makes it so easy to volunteer. If anyone ever wants to go volunteer at St. Mary’s, they should grab a pair of comfortable shoes and do it. They won’t regret it.”
Joyful service
Rod McDowell, a lead software developer at U-Haul, has a special place in his heart for St. Mary’s and for the organization’s mission to fight hunger.
“St. Mary’s Food Bank is one of my favorite charities, and I’ve volunteered with them multiple times,” McDowell said. “I also try to give financially to them as much as I am able. No one should ever go hungry, especially children and the elderly. St. Mary’s fights these injustices by meeting people’s immediate needs, and then encouraging self-sufficiency, collaboration, advocacy and education for lasting change.”
During this visit, McDowell set up HelloFresh bags and kept the assembly line stocked with canned beans.
“It’s amazing how well everyone works together. Some people were enjoying themselves so much that they started singing and dancing along to the music,” McDowell added. “Studies show that volunteering can reduce stress, combat depression and provide a sense of purpose. Most importantly, you get to make a difference in other people’s lives. How great is that?”
Read more about our partnership with St. Mary’s by clicking here.
