The holiday season is fast approaching and while that may be a time of celebration for most, there are many in the area who struggle through this season as they try to provide for their families.
A recent Map the Meal Gap study ranked Navajo County second in the state amongst counties whose residents are struggling to keep food on the table, with Apache County ranked first not only in the state, but in the country. In Navajo County, that amounts to nearly 23 percent of the population uncertain of their next meal.
To get an understanding of the need in Holbrook, from January to October of this year the Catholic Charities Good Shepherd Center on East Florida Street served 3,365 hot lunches, serving 506 meals during July alone.
During this same timeframe, the center provided 51 food boxes for families with children in need. “They come to us from Holbrook and the surrounding area. Last year in November we made up 23 food boxes for families in need, then in December we made up 26 more food boxes for families,” stated Michael Henninger, secretary for the center.
According to Nancy Barela, director of Catholic Charities in Holbrook, the need has grown over the years and she has seen a disturbing new trend. “A lot of the families we provide lunches for live in hotels. They can’t afford the high rental costs and live in hotels hoping to find a more affordable place. As you can imagine, hotels only provide microwaves or maybe a hot plate. Eating here may be the only hot meal they get,” she said.
The Bread of Life Mission also does its part by providing food and shelter for those in need, and each year offers a delicious homemade Thanksgiving dinner at the mission to bring a sense of camaraderie to those who may be alone for the holiday. Food boxes are also provided at Christmas through the Holbrook Food Bank and distributed at the Holbrook Senior Citizens Center.
In order for those endeavors to be successful, it requires the work of volunteers and the generous donations of community members who provide non-perishable goods, and their time and effort.
The Holbrook Police Department has taken on a significant role in this endeavor and is hosting its fourth annual food drive to provide non-perishable food items to Catholic Charities. Collection boxes are already in place at Bank of the West, City of Holbrook offices, Dollar General, Northland Pioneer College, Safeway, Walt’s Hardware and Wells Fargo Bank in an effort that will continue until Dec. 15.
The police department is also working with the Holbrook School District to involve students and their families in collecting food, and the Joseph City Volunteer Fire Department is working with the Joseph City School District in the same manner as they assist with the department’s endeavor.
Other businesses have also seen the need and are doing their part. Kristy Blackman of Mountain Mobile Auto Glass in Snowflake says that customers receive a free turkey with each windshield replacement and have the option to donate that turkey to either Catholic Charities in Holbrook or the Love Kitchen in Snowflake. They are donating a frozen turkey to Catholic Charities with each windshield replacement, with seven turkeys already provided as of last week. They are working together with ProBlue Disaster and Construction Services, also in Snowflake, to help ensure that those in need will be fed this holiday season by collecting non-perishable items for the charity.
To learn more about how to serve the needs in your community, contact your local food bank or church.
