A Monthly Newsletter of the Sahuarita Food Bank & Community Resource Center - September 2026
In SFB-CRC’s fiscal year 2025-2026, we regrettably experienced in just one year a nearly 40 percent increase in the number of children needing food, and a 33.9 percent increase in visitors over 60 years old. More than 25,000 people were compelled to seek help, visiting our Marana or Sahuarita location at least once. Our participants are averaging seven visits per year.
Regardless of declarations or perceptions that the economy is improving, the data we capture as an organization captures our hearts and attention because it indicates something much different for people we see on almost a daily basis. Costs for rent, fuel, food, health care, and household items remain stubbornly elevated. SNAP (food stamp) benefit amounts have been cut, and to obtain SNAP help now requires recertification every six months. Most must work, volunteer or show proof of study 20 hours per week or more.
As of January 1, 2027, Medicaid (AHCCCS) recipients will face increasing deductibles and more challenges to substantiate they are unable to complete the 20 hour requirement. Proving “medical frailty" will require not only a diagnosis, but a record of treatment for a medical condition through repetitive recertification.
This surge in documentation and recertification procedures for safety net programs brings with it an accompanying sense of frustration for those unaccustomed to managing a lot of paperwork. For single parent families or those working multiple jobs trying to make it with little savings and no one to guide them along, the future can be foreboding. Benefits are sadly expected to decrease as costs and filing frustrations increase.
We find that, especially for those in lower income brackets, wages have failed to grow in proportion to the rising cost of living they face. As the challenges for people in need intensify, we at SFB-CRC are aware of the challenges we must keep taking on to try to bring programs that help as many as possible get not only food but training for job skills and support for family issues. We want to offer hope and walk alongside them as they strive to tackle these economic realities and improve their lives.
Sahuarita and Marana Food Banks & Community Resource Centers, along with our partnerships with Vantage West Credit Union and United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona, and many other agencies, will always be there for them. We know from experience that our donors, community organizations, and volunteers have always been there for them, too. We will continue to watch, listen, reach out, and provide, as you continue to help us help others.
Ana ... An Angel to Many
Pima County Resource Navigator Ana Camarillo remembers well a client who came to her about five years ago—struggling, she and her kids facing eviction. Even after suffering three strokes, with guidance in recovery and renewing her resolve, her client found employment with the VA, where she now helps others.
In her role with Pima County Community and Workforce Development, Ana works with anyone who receives food, takes our skilled trades classes, or is involved in our Family Resource Center, a successful initiative for ages 0-5 and their parents and guardians, that highlights our commitment to SFB-CRC’s three pillars of food and nutrition, workforce development, and family support.
Starting out as a library page, a job she took in high school, Ana helped provide essential services and insights to people of all backgrounds who sought out the library for information, classes, computer assistance, and sometimes just a friendly face with a helping hand. “The library is a pillar to the community,” she explained, “where people feel more comfortable asking questions.”
TLibrary staff, which includes the pages, help patrons obtain a vast amount of community and government services information to assist them in their lives. Furloughed during Covid, Ana was able to move forward with the County One-Stop Career Center as an essential front-line worker and eventually an intake specialist who directed clients to needed services. “One-Stop never closed during Covid!” she pointed out.
Once a pre-med biology major, Ana took all that experience learning about county departments and services right into her promotion to case manager at Pima County Community and Workforce Development (CWD), assisting people facing housing crises, evictions, financial challenges, utility payments, and employment needs. She then knew this was going to be her chosen path. She was promoted to resource navigator, directly connecting clients with county and community services.
“This role makes me feel complete,” she said. “I love what I do. I have the support of the whole department of CWD. People who are like-minded make you want to do more.”
Ana displays a sense of urgency and compassion. “They’re major requirements for this job. With government everything moves on turtle time,” she put it, so a resource navigator has to be resourceful, finding interim solutions for clients.
The county has done a good job with legal services for evictions, she said, yet there is still a great need for affordable housing in our area. Ana works to provide referrals for financial help, such as utility payment assistance.
She approaches people in need like she would approach a family member, maybe a grandmother or sibling, listening and trying to understand what their needs are, what’s affecting them and how, showing concern and making them feel safe.
Those are the intangible things that make an incalculable difference to someone whose struggle seems to be insurmountable, impossible, and they just need an angel in their corner.
Grant Great Timing
It couldn’t come at a better time, as SFB-CRC continues to build its capacity for skilled training programs. The Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco announced in September a
We are so grateful to Vantage West Credit Union, who submits grant requests on behalf of their own non-profit partners, to make this possible for us two years in a row. It enables us to apply for a matching grant to increase student numbers and facilities for our Fundamentals of Welding program and move quickly into construction skilled trades in partnership with the Southern Arizona Home Builders Association (SAHBA), as well as building facilities management skills. SAHBA CEO David Godlewski provided immeasurable help in connecting us with Home Builders Institute for instructor certification, construction curricula, and industry-recognized certifications for successful students.
“Vantage West is proud to support the Sahuarita Food Bank & Community Resource Center,” said VP of Community Impact Jon Bruflat, “as it expands the Saguaro Skills Center and creates more pathways to nationally recognized skilled-trades certifications. This investment reflects the power of community partnership—helping Carlos and his team bring a bold workforce-development vision to life while strengthening localized economic advancement for families across Southern Arizona.”
The San Francisco bank awarded $10 million to 72 projects in Arizona, Nevada, and California as part of its Access to Housing and Economic Assistance for Development (AHEAD) program. The grants are intended to create and enhance economic development and “help create a brighter future for the low to moderate income people, neighborhoods, and communities,” they announced.
They described our plans to invest these dollars as follows:
The Sahuarita Food Bank and Community Resource Center is a nonprofit organization that combats poverty and food insecurity through an integrated approach that combines emergency food assistance, family support services, and workforce development programs. This project will expand the existing mobile skilled-trades training program by increasing welding training capacity and launching new national certification pathways in masonry, carpentry, plumbing, and facilities management. AHEAD funds will mainly support a part-time instructor and training equipment
The Latest
Mary and Mike LaFOnd with Mary’s award
Mary ‘Most Influential 2026’
The Green Valley News described them as “standouts in their personal lives, not just on the job. People who volunteer, who look in on their neighbors, who make others a priority. They are the community’s all-stars.”
GV News, Sahuarita Sun, and Nogales International announced at Desert Diamond Casino earlier this month that SFB-CRC volunteer Mary LaFond is one of the 19 “Most Influential” individuals and one company—South 32—who are recipients of their tenth annual I19 award, recognizing leaders behind the scenes along the I19 corridor making large contributions to others in their communities. Publisher Dru Sanchez emceed and read remarks taken from the nominations from the community accompanying a picture of each honoree.
Mary and spouse Mike undertook what they call a labor of love over the years—collecting grocery rescue food for the food bank every Sunday after church. They have rescued more than six tons of food, which includes fresh produce available for our Monday morning deliveries to 104 households. She follows specials and then purchases her own donated food, and because feeding people is her passion, volunteers can often be seen enjoying one of her crockpot soups or stews on working days. “At the end of the day,” Mary said, “my hope is that I left the world a better place for having been in it.”
SFB-CRC is proud of and grateful for all the quiet champions with little time in the spotlight like Mary who make such a difference in our mission…a well-deserved award.
Toy Story
l-r: Rhonda Piña, Ana Camarillo, Carlos Valles, Marjava Ramirez, and Chair Jen Allen, with Supervisor Rex Scott and County Administrator Jan Lescher looking on.
Pima County Supervisors Chair Jen Allen issued a proclamation September 8 that Pima County’s Community and Workforce Development (CWD) department will join forces with SFB-CRC and MFB-CRC to gather and distribute toys for the holidays for children in our region.
CWD Resource Navigator Ana Camarillo, Deputy Director Rhonda Pina, and Resource Navigators Program Manager Marjava Ramirez will work with SFB-CRC Executive Director Carlos Valles and Program Manager Sofia Castro, Operations Manager Juan Arrendondo, Family Resource Center Coordinator Itzahi Rodela, child representatives Amelia and Kehlani Rodela, along with MFB-CRC Program Manager Luissel Palma. It’s the second year for the challenge, so the team will be working hard to beat six tons collected last year.