Kiwanis Club of Carefree Funds 1,000 Holiday Meals for Local Families as Demand Surges at Foothills Food Bank
Carefree, AZ [November 13, 2025] — The Kiwanis Club of Carefree has stepped forward in a major way this holiday season, providing funding to the Foothills Food Bank to ensure 1,000 holiday meals can be delivered to families in need across the Desert Foothills community.
What began as a two-holiday initiative to support Thanksgiving and Christmas quickly shifted as the Food Bank experienced an unprecedented spike in demand. Foothills Food Bank Executive Director Leigh Zydonik shared with Kiwanis leadership that requests for Thanksgiving food assistance have increased by one-third compared to last year.
Originally, Kiwanis planned to support 1,000 total families across both holidays. However, due to overwhelming need, that entire number will be met at Thanksgiving alone.
Zydonik attributes the surge in part to the Food Bank’s new Carefree Highway location, which is now geographically closer to a larger population of food-insecure households. As a result, the organization is seeing significantly more visitors than anticipated.
She also noted that the temporary suspension of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)—formerly known as food stamps—has likely intensified the strain on local families, increasing the urgency for community support.
“Kiwanis exists to serve children and families,” said Tom Pozarycki, Funds Request Committee Member. “When the Food Bank told us how sharply need had risen, we knew we had to act quickly. We are proud to support Foothills Food Bank and the neighbors who depend on it.”
The Kiwanis Club of Carefree remains committed to addressing food insecurity and supporting local nonprofits that make a direct impact on the community.
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About Kiwanis Club of Carefree
Kiwanis Club of Carefree is a nonprofit service organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in the Desert Foothills. Through volunteerism, fundraising, scholarships, and community partnerships, Kiwanis serves local schools, nonprofits, and families with a focus on creating lasting, positive change.
