Volunteers work at the Kingman Regional Food Bank, which is seeking help to provide festive meals to poor families in Kingman. (Photo: MacKenzie Dexter/Kingman Miner)

Kingman-As the holidays approach, the Kingman Regional Food Bank sees an increase in the number of hungry people and an increase in donations.

KAFB executive director Mark Pardue said that so far this month, the food bank at 2930 Butler Street has received 7,200 people, compared with 3,700 in November 2020. The food bank is also experiencing "huge growth" of new families and individuals coming to the food bank for the first time.

Padu said: "I expect to see the same type of growth in the rest of this year." "If inflation continues and retail food prices continue to rise, our service growth will continue to increase."

According to data from the U.S. Agricultural Economic Research Service (USDA ERS), in September this year, the cost of food in the United States increased by 4.6% compared to September 2020.

For Thanksgiving, the Food Bank has prepared 268 Thanksgiving gift boxes for personal and family use. He expects that the number of boxes will increase by Christmas.

"There is a great demand, and if we can meet this demand, that is our purpose here," Padu said.

Pardue said that even as more and more individuals and families came to the food bank, they received thousands of pounds of food from people of all ages. He yelled at Boy Scout pack 53, White Cliffs Elementary School and Kingman Academy of Learning Elementary School because they recently collected more than 3,000 pounds of food.

“Kingman has a helpful heart and we receive private donations from money donations and food donations every day,” Pardue said.

As support for those in need increases, food banks have recently received thousands of pounds of food. Pardue said that the average family takes 175 pounds home with each visit, so the food goes quickly.

Although the community has been coming forward and the food bank has been "working hard", Padu worries about providing enough food for the influx of people during the holidays.

At present, food banks have ample supply of canned food and agricultural products, but meat is difficult to obtain. Pardue said that red meat is particularly a challenge due to inflation and supply. According to the US Department of Agriculture ERS​​, meat prices are expected to rise between 5.5% and 6.5%.

"This has been a difficult year... but the community has always been great," Pardue said.

Pardue said that for community help, people are welcome to provide any food they can provide, especially meat in the upcoming holiday food box. Pardue stated that they will accept pre-packaged or canned ham or any type of meat. Food banks also accept financial donations so that they can buy what customers need.

The registration time for the Christmas holiday food box is from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on December 8. Each customer will receive a ticket and they will bring it back to their box at the food bank on December 21st. Pardue said the holiday gift box will contain turkey, ham or chicken and "all ingredients."

He said that he thanked all businesses, churches, fire departments, police departments and Kingman Youth for supporting the food bank and providing food to neighbors.

"It's great to be able to serve the community," Pardue said. "This is what we all think; this is not a job, but a service."

(This story has been updated to include the address of the Kingman Regional Food Bank

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