By Nalani Lopez

To celebrate the holiday season and assist families with the expense of providing a holiday feast, the Salt River Food Bank hosted its annual Holiday Ham Giveaway on December 19.

The giveaway is sponsored by the St. Mary’s Food Bank and provides enrolled members of the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community with food to create a family holiday meal.

Starting at 10 a.m., the event attracted a long line of Community members, going out the door and wrapping around the food bank building. Within an hour, the hams ran out.

To keep the holiday spirits up, Community youth Zalin Antone handed out handmade candy cane reindeers to those waiting patiently in line.

Inside the building, Christmas cumbia music fueled the busy morning as Community members were checked in by staff and given their choice of a ham or a $20 voucher good at Bashas’ grocery store.

In addition to their ham or gift voucher, Community members were also given boxes of produce consisting of potatoes, eggs and an assortment of fruit.

This year, the event was able to distribute 100 hams and 250 boxes of produce to families in the Community. Attendees left with trunks full of food for their week of cooking ahead.

“I’m very fortunate to participate in this giveaway our Community does for us,” said Community member Angelina Dallas. “I plan to use the ham for our family’s Christmas brunch.”