Extended Hands Food Bank: Let’s Keep the Shelves Full
New Journey did a fantastic job on God’s Work. Our Hands. Sunday—you filled the food donation barrel to overflowing! Thank you!
What Is the Best Way to Support People Who Need Food?
Image Credit: https://azfoodbanks.org/in-this-together/
Give dollars to food banks rather than grocery items. Food banks know what they need and can put dollars to best use. You can donate directly to Extended Hands Food Bank. LINK: Donate | Fountain Hills | Extended Hands Food Bank
📋 If you prefer to donate items, see the food bank grocery list here. New Journey will deliver any items quickly so that they can be put to use.
🥶 If you choose refrigerated or frozen items, please donate those directly to Extended Hands Food Bank during their drop-off hours:
Mondays, Fridays & Saturdays: 8:15 AM–11:30 AM
Tuesdays: 2:15 PM–6:00 PM
Prior to the SNAP cutoff, Extended Hands was serving 6,500 persons per month; more will be calling on them now and in the weeks ahead.
Additional Background
On Wednesday evening, 11/5/25, the USDA clarified that they would release contingency funds equal to 55% of normal monthly funding.
This is a total dollar amount and does not mean individuals will receive 55% of their benefits. Funding formulas are complicated and vary by personal and family situations.
Arizona normally receives $150 million per month for SNAP.
Governor Hobbs released:
$1.5 million from leftover COVID relief funds to help food banks restock.
$300,000 in state funding to support “double bucks” programs that help folks get fresh produce.
Note the gap: $1.8 million vs. $150 million needed monthly!
Challenges Ahead
Even as funds are released, the payment process is complicated.
Arizona’s EBT card vendor also serves 40 states, including California.
It may take several days to weeks to restart and complete payment processes.
Numerous court cases are in progress, which could add to uncertainties or delays in SNAP and other food program funding distributions.
Source
Information provided by Ashley St. Thomas, Public Policy Manager for the Arizona Food Bank Network, during a webinar sponsored by Arizona Faith Network on 11/6/25.