Conversations with Margaret DeMar

Today we’d like to introduce you to Margaret DeMar.

Hi Margaret, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The GCUMC Food Bank started more than 25 years ago as a mere “food closet” within the Gold Canyon United Methodist Church, in order to stash and distribute pantry staples for the small congregation’s families in need. As the area population (and need) grew over time, the food bank operation expanded in around 2017 to what had been the Red Sage Restaurant across Kings Ranch Rd in Gold Canyon. The GCUMC Missions Building is a multipurpose space, which includes the GCUMC Food Bank (occupying 1/3 of the total space) and conference rooms.

Over the years the operation has grown – we supported over 10,500 individuals in 2024.

Clients are able to visit twice per month; we are open M/W/F 9 am – 12noon.

– 44% of the clients we served in 2024 were new to our database

– We average 7.9 client visits per hour, 23.7 per day

– Range per day can be 15 to 40 cars

We have a strong support system. Some of the benevolent organizations in the area (Rotary Club, American Legion, and the like), plus HOA and other food drives (GC RV & Golf Resort, Montessa, Mountainbrook) provide much needed food and funds, in conjunction with the GCUMC congregation and other faith-based organizations. Additionally we glean from Basha’s and other grocery stores as well as some collaboration with other pantries, etc. (Salvation Army).

Donations from our partner – United Food Bank – have been less than pre-pandemic levels and are expected to be negatively affected by current governmental cuts coming up, so we are largely dependent on the community to sustain this mission.

Volunteers are the indispensable factor that gives life to this mission! We rely on their dedication, commitment, hard work and boundless energy.

Volunteer facts:

– Approximately 40 – 45 seasonal and full-time residents (not taking new applications at this time)
– Requires hours of standing, lifting, interacting with clients and the community
– Requires Arizona certification in Food Handling (renewed every 3 years)
– Requires Confidentiality agreements
– Requires yearly Civil Rights training
– Requires compassion and the desire to help others

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Some of the challenges we face are related to being largely a seasonal community. Much of our donor and financial support returns north during Arizona’s hot weather. During the summer we still serve the community with the same level of sustenance, but as donations tend to taper off during the summer, we must purchase food for distribution to continue with our high level of service.

As a food bank, we must always be on the lookout for new partnerships, new sources of food and better prices to keep our supplies available, fresh, healthy and interesting to our neighbors.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
The Gold Canyon UMC Food Bank exists to serve the local food insecure population. In the immediate service area (Gold Canyon, Apache Junction, Superior, Florence, East Mesa) the majority of those we serve are over the age of 60. We do not screen, nor verify income in order to receive food. We are 50-volunteers strong! Our volunteers breathe life and ideas into our operation; we would not function as the well-oiled machine that we are without them.

Image Credits
All photos were taken by Margaret DeMar