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Sahuarita Food Bank and Valley Assistance Services report expanded services, training and rising demand
Summary
At the council meeting, Sahuarita Food Bank and Valley Assistance Services described growth in programming and demand—food distribution, workforce training, transportation and homebound services—and thanked the town for funding and partnerships. Both organizations reported program metrics and plans for expansion.
Representatives from the Sahuarita Food Bank and Valley Assistance Services (VAS) presented program updates to the Town Council, summarizing services, demand, funding, and plans for expansion.
Sahuarita Food Bank leaders described the organization's history (founded locally, incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2018) and recent growth: a 14,300-square-foot campus opened in 2023 and new programs including the Saguaro Skills Center (a state-licensed vocational program) and a family resource center. The food bank reported serving about 1,600 unique households in 2025 across food distribution, resource-center programs and workforce services. Leaders highlighted workforce training outcomes (welding program graduates and a Google IT certificate program) with reported starting wages and multiple job offers for graduates.
Valley Assistance Services (VAS) executives Chris Erickson (RN, executive director) and Tony Bruno (associate director) outlined 18 programs serving a broad rural area. Key points: VAS serves roughly 7,800 people annually across a 2,700-square-mile service area; the Monetary Assistance Program (MAP) supports rent, utilities and mortgage emergencies; transportation averages about 659 trips per month and serves about 750 homebound households. VAS said federal reductions have cut some funding streams, increasing the importance of private donors, grant diversification, and local partnerships.
Council members asked about geographic targeting for town-funded aid; VAS said it can provide parcel-level reporting (required by Pima County) and staff noted the town matches and evaluates requests during the municipal budget process. Town staff explained that budget recommendations consider county parcel attribution and the town's fiscal forecasts when setting contributions.
Both organizations invited council members to visit operations, offered data and thanked the town for its support. Council members and staff praised the agencies' work, discussed volunteer opportunities tied to community events, and agreed staff would consider funding needs through the upcoming budget process.
