Phoenix Arby's Donating Portion Of Sales To St. Mary's Food Bank

PHOENIX — Fast food lovers will have the chance to give back Tuesday when they visit a Phoenix Arby's location. The chain has announced it will donate a portion of its sales to St. Mary's Food Bank during Hunger Action Month.

Phoenix-area Arby's restaurants will give 20 percent of their proceeds Tuesday to the oldest food bank in the country. Donations will also be accepted at all locations, with every dollar donated providing seven meals to people in need in the Valley. There are 10 locations in metro Phoenix.

“Arby’s is proud to be the title sponsor of Hunger Action Month to give everyone in Arizona 30 ways in 30 days to fight hunger,” Jay Johnson, Vice President of Operation for FX4 Arby’s, said in a news release. “We hope everyone will visit their neighborhood Arby’s location on Sept. 29 as we attempt to raise 300,000 meals for St. Mary’s Food Bank and close out Hunger Action Month with a flourish.”

Feeding America, the nation's largest hunger relief organization, says coronavirus-related economic crises could push the number of food insecure Americans to 54 million by year's end. That's 17 million more Americans than who were food insecure before the pandemic.

In Maricopa County, about 515,130 were considered food insecure before the pandemic, according to Feeding America's "Map the Meal Gap" interactive study.

Job loss and other economic crises associated with the coronavirus could push the rate of food insecurity in Maricopa County to 17.4 percent by the end of the year.

Arby's has helped provide hundreds of meals throughout the country in September. St. Mary's, like most food banks in the U.S., have seen increased need throughout the coronavirus pandemic. Arby's sales proceeds will also go toward stocking the food bank's shelves as the pandemic continues.

“We thank all of the companies and individuals who have stepped up during Hunger Action Month, especially the continued support from our friends at Arby’s,” St. Mary’s President and CEO Tom Kertis said in a statement. “Whether it be donations of food, funds or time, Arby’s has stepped up to help us at every turn.”

To find more ways to help, visit the St. Mary's Food Bank website.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimates that in 2020, more than 54 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.