3 Takeaways:

• The Salt River Business Owners Association donated $6,000 to the Salt River Food Bank.
• The donation will be used to purchase supplemental food for Community members and potentially help fund Thanksgiving dinner boxes.
• Social Services Manager (TANF) Winterelk Valencia will be working with SRBOA to host a Community-wide food drive.

The Salt River Food Bank received a $6,000 check on Oct. 28 from members of the Salt River Business Owners Association (SRBOA).

SRBOA is an autonomous organization of “volunteer” business owners who are members of the Community. The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community Council unanimously approved resolution SR-2535-2007 recognizing SRBOA as an active organization within the Community on December 13, 2006.

David Dallas, of Dallas Construction, is the president of the association. When he and other SRBOA members received word from SRPMIC Council member Jacob Butler that food bank donations from local organizations have been decreasing, they pooled some money to donate.

“We’re excited [to work together and donate] and it’s a blessing for us to do this. Everybody jumped in right away,” said Dallas.

Social Services Manager (TANF) Winterelk Valencia at the food bank said that the money from the donation will be used as soon as possible to supplement donations with canned goods, turkeys and other food items.

Valencia will be working with SRBOA to host a Community-wide food drive. He hopes to potentially help fund Thanksgiving dinner boxes with the donation.

“Now, with the SNAP benefits in jeopardy, it’s good to have a conversation about ways that our own people can help each other out,” said Butler, who was present at the gathering for the donation presentation.

“These are small, local tribal member–owned businesses. It’s awesome to see you contributing to the welfare of the Community,” he said.

Other SRBOA members in leadership positions are Vice-President Chuvak Montiel-Nunez from On-Auk-Mor Trade Centers and Secretary Georgia Acosta from Acosta Plastering.

Other SRBOA members:

Margaret Rodriquez, former SRBOA President—Au’ Authum Ki

Patrick Dallas—Red Mountain Engineering

Garnet Gates—Pro Enterprises

Anna Lee, former SRBOA vice-president—Pima Awards

David Montiel—On-Auk-Mor Trade Centers

Smoyma Montiel—On-Auk-Mor Trade Centers

Jose Quintero—Quintero Developments

Yesika Saldivar-Zotigh—Heavenly Touch Cleaning

Eric Schurz—Rezhawk Towing

Steven Whitman—Stevens Cleaning Solutions Angela Willeford—Seven Stars of Arizona