The East Valley Food Bank provided emergency food and water to victims of the Watch Fire, which has burned more than 2,000 acres and destroyed about 20 homes in eastern Arizona but is now fully contained.
The San Carlos Apache Tribe declared a state of emergency on July 12 after the Watch Fire ravaged their community, prompting the East Valley-based United Food Bank to launch an emergency initiative that same day to help distribute emergency food and water to Watch Fire victims and the San Carlos Apache Tribe.
As part of its emergency response, Mesa-based United Food Bank continues to provide additional food through the USDA and Pantry+ programs and has provided bulk food requests to the San Carlos Apache Tribe. Additionally, United Food Bank has ensured that all affected residents have access to clean drinking water and has delivered emergency food boxes of non-perishable foods to those unable to access their usual distribution locations.
The Watch Fire in Eastern Arizona is now 100% contained after burning over 2,000 acres and destroying nearly 20 homes. It began burning in San Carlos on July 10, devastating communities, displacing families, cutting off access to essential services, leaving 75 people homeless and forcing over 400 people to seek emergency shelter.
United Food Bank, which is working to help Arizonans experiencing food insecurity in the East Valley and Eastern Arizona, has addressed the immediate need by increasing distribution of the USDA’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), a commodity food program, to ensure affected families receive shelf-stable, nutritious food.
The local food bank is working with the Southern Arizona Community Food Bank, the Arizona Red Cross, the San Carlos Apache Tribe Food Distribution Center and local agency partner Abiding Ministries to get these resources to those in need. Additionally, United Food Bank received an immediate response donation and volunteers from Resolution Copper to support this effort.
“Our hearts go out to the San Carlos Apache Tribe and all those affected by the Watch Fire,” said Jason Reed, CEO of United Food Bank. “We’re grateful to Resolution Cooper for their immediate donation to support the San Carlos community and to Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, Red Cross Arizona, Abiding Ministries and the San Carlos Apache Tribe’s food distribution center for working together to quickly get supplies to individuals and families in need.”
To learn more about United Food Bank and help provide emergency food and water assistance, visit unitedfoodbank.org.
