Reid Park Zoo Hosts Food Drive For MLK Day

TUCSON, AZ — Reid Park Zoo will host a weekend food drive to honor the memory of Martin Luther King Jr.

The zoo has partnered with the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona to fight hunger in the region. Any zoo guest who donates non-perishable items will receive $1 off of a carousel ride for participating.

The Community Food Bank helps feed more than 190,000 people who are facing food insecurity each year in southern Arizona, according to a news release.

“As the pandemic has continued to impact so many people in our area we are proud to assist the Food Bank in their mission for a healthier, hunger-free community,” Reid Park Zoo President & CEO Nancy Kluge said in a statement. “We felt that the food drive was a great way to honor the message and call to service of Martin Luther King Jr.”

The donation boxes will be placed at the carousel's entrance. The food drive will run from Friday to Monday.

The food bank has requested canned protein, canned fruits and vegetables, pasta and sauce, peanut butter, and cereal for those in need.

Reid Park runs several community programs to give back to Tucson, including free school field trips, membership discounts for local non-profits and plenty of other outreach events.

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 50 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.