Dr. Cynthia Chevalley, Director of the Tri-Community Food Bank
Maggie de Block
On March 16, 2017 Dr. Cynthia Chevalley, Director of the Tri-Community Food Bank (TCFB), presented an inspiring message entitled Business of Hope to SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary members. Dr. Chevalley has been the Director/Chairperson at TCFB for the past 12 years. Prior to coming to SaddleBrooke she worked as a Trauma Surgeon in Chicago, Illinois and Palo Alto, California.
Dr. Chevalley has been an advocate to raise awareness of our neighbors up north (the Copper Corridor) and the effects on children and their families when they are faced with hunger. TCFB includes the area of Oracle, San Manuel, Mammoth, Oracle and Aravaipa and east to the Reddington Pass.
Ninety-eight percent of children residing in San Manuel and Mammoth qualify for Federal programs that provide free breakfast and lunch. Approximately seventy-five percent of children qualify for the above mentioned food programs in Oracle.
The TCFB is an all-volunteer organization with 25 volunteers that run the food bank operation. The food bank provides 35 emergency food boxes a day and feeds 100 to 125 people a day. The emergency food box will last hopefully three days and consists of cereal, canned foods, chicken when available and sometimes fresh fruits.
Every month the TCFB clients include over 300 children and 200 seniors. During the holiday season the TCFB provides 250 Thanksgiving boxes as well as 250 Christmas boxes.
In addition, the TCFB provides assistance with emergency utilities and rental expenses. Where does the revenue come from to run this important service? The TCFB receives food from the Federal Government. The organization purchases food with the donations from the community to serve those less fortunate.
The SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Board authorized $500 for this worthy cause and the check was presented to Dr. Chevalley to continue with her business of hope.