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Community Food Bank’s Holiday Harvest Food & Fund Drive

Community Food Bank’s Holiday Harvest Food & Fund Drive

Nov 7, 20222 min read

Now that Halloween is over it’s beginning to feel a lot like the holiday season.

For instance, the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona’s Holiday Harvest Food and Fund Drive is right around the corner. From 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Thursday, November 10, the organization will be set up at Sam’s Club and taking donations at the 4701 N. Stone Ave. location.

Photo courtesy of Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
Photo courtesy of Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona

They’ll be collecting non-perishable food and monetary donations with live broadcasts throughout the day on 94.9 MIXfm, and support from 96.1 KLPX, Rock102.1, and 104.9/1490AM ESPN Tucson. Hey, maybe one of the DJs will give you a shoutout on air if you stop by with some gifts.

Additionally, all of the donations will be matched up to $25,000 by Tucson Electric Power.

Photo courtesy of Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
Photo courtesy of Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona

New CEO is settling in nicely

The Community Food Bank also recently announced that Malea Chavez is taking over as CEO. Chavez is bringing an impressive background to the organization having worked in the non-profit arena before. She also has extensive experience as a practicing attorney, a Cholla High School graduate, and acquires a love of the Sonoran desert.

“I am honored to join the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona,” said Chavez. “I have a deep and long-standing commitment to improving food security and strengthening communities. I have spent my career working with nonprofits, serving on boards, and volunteering for organizations that fight against hunger and provide access to essential services.”

Malea Chavez, CEO (Photo courtesy of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona)
Malea Chavez, CEO (Photo courtesy of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona)

After sifting through at least 400 applications, Chavez was chosen to replace Michael McDonald, who announced his resignation last December.

“Malea has a unique and powerful combination of abilities,” said Nathan Rothschild, Chair of the Board of Directors for the Community Food Bank. “Her experience in non-profits is extensive, both in hunger relief and addressing the root cause of poverty and hunger. We’re excited to welcome her back to Tucson to lead the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona.”

Chavez most recently served as the Executive Director of the Women’s Building, a women-led community space in San Francisco that advocates self-determination, gender equality, and social justice.

For more information on the Holiday Harvest Food and Fund Drive and anything else related to the Food Bank, visit communityfoodbank.org.

Article written by:

Matt Sterner

Matt Sterner

More about Matt

At a very young age, Matt Sterner was gifted with the artistic ability to masterfully roll a burrito to the highest of standards, but the wrapped medley of delicious innards wasn’t his first love. Matt’s first true love was a combination of reading, writing, and creating. He grew up reading comics, the ingredients list of his shampoo and conditioner bottles, choose-your-own-adventure books, and the Scrabble dictionary — something he found useful when challenging his grandmother to a game.

He attended college at New Mexico State University and graduated with a degree in Digital Filmmaking. One of his favorite classes was screenwriting because he became responsible for the story’s birth before it came to life on-screen. After school, Matt took on numerous positions at a local television station in Tucson. From dealing out stories about heartbreak to producing “fluffier” content for a lifestyle broadcast, he learned what it takes to adapt to the many emotions the world of media can stir. Since 2017, Matt has dabbled in the culinary world of Tucson as well as San Diego, California from time to time.

If you’re in the mood for strange stories, head over to his pride and joy, wonkytimes.com. And in case you’re curious — yes, after all of this time, he still manages to roll a killer burrito.

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