The shelves at the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Food Bank received a special holiday donation recently, compliments of staff and management from Salt River Community Gaming Enterprises. 

On Dec. 17 and 23, staff from Salt River Community Gaming Enterprises delivered 20-plus food donation boxes, complete with nonperishable food and goodies. All items were collected and processed by the food bank staff and then distributed to families in the Community this holiday season. 

Part of the food bank protocols now involve home deliveries for those with limited transportation methods or who are homebound. 

The donation drop-off was the second time the gaming enterprises staff hosted a food bank donation drive. The first was when the Trump administration temporarily ended SNAP benefits in the United States this past November. 

After grouping together to come up with a plan to help, six individuals volunteered their time to help assist with the collection and drop-off. 

Food Bank manager Helena Garza showed her appreciation to the gaming enterprise team’s efforts and for their donation drop-offs over the last two months. 

“Hunger doesn’t always look the way people expect. It often looks like a senior who can’t leave their home,” said Garza. 

She added, “We started with no deliveries. Today, we’re bringing food directly to about 80 homes every week. This work isn’t just a job, it’s service. You feel it in your heart.”