An update on our twice-monthly food distribution

Long before sunrise, a mile-long string of cars extends out from St. Vincent de Paul's main campus gate in south Phoenix. People come this early and wait inside their cars for one thing: SVdP's twice-monthly food box distribution.

"We were here probably about twenty after 4 a.m.," said Genna, one of the many guests who waited in line recently. "There are people here around 3 a.m. You get here early because SVdP can only give what they can give. Once the food is gone, it's gone."

Bill, another early-rising visitor, said, "We probably got here about 4:15 a.m. and were like #13 in line. We watched the line grow longer and longer."

The food distribution is held every second and fourth Saturday of the month, and is free and open to the public. All that is required is a government ID that shows an Arizona address. Staff and volunteers hand out food boxes from 6:30am until 8:30am or until the food runs out. 

"I think a lot of them rely on us being open on the second and fourth Saturday so they can get some relief at the grocery store," said April Good, the SVdP Food Reclamation Warehouse manager. And it makes the difference for many that come.

"This food means that we can actually have meat on the table," Genna said. 

For others, the distribution acts as a financial relief, so guests can use the money in other areas, such as relieving a financial crisis, paying for something important like rent or utilities, or even just saving for a rainy day. 

"Oh my God, this food helps my savings. I'm able to save a little bit of money," Bill said. "With the cost of inflation, this has been helping us out tremendously."

The need and number of recipients showing up to receive assistance has been growning exponentially.  

"My heart breaks because things keep getting worse," April said. "But people can always help. People can donate money or by volunteering. Saturday takes a crew of about 25 to run the distribution. The help is always welcome."