Meet Dave Richins of United Food Bank

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dave Richins.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Dave. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
United Food Bank’s history is deeply rooted in the East Valley and dates back to July of 1983 when it began operations as United Food Distribution Center, Inc. The Food Bank was started as a nonprofit joint venture among East Valley cities and their respective United Ways to gather and distribute food to East Valley organizations that were helping feed those in need.

The Food Bank assisted 28 different community partners that the first year, and some are still partners today like the Mesa Senior Center, The Apache Junction Food Bank, and the Chandler Christian Community Center. In 1985, the Food Bank’s service geography expanded to its current area of Gila, Pinal and southern Apache and Navajo Counties along with the original service area in the East Valley of Maricopa County.

The Food Bank has grown to meet the increased need from people in our service area. Our service area is more than 19,608 square miles which include some of the most remote areas in the state. Places like Sanders, Arizona, where there are only a couple places to purchase food, and the next town is nearly 40 miles away.

To serve the most people possible, United Food Bank collaborates with more than 200 partner agencies that operate more than 260 separate programs helping feed families, children and seniors. In 2015/2016 fiscal year, the Food Bank distributed more than 26,000,000 pounds of food totaling 21,706,093 meals to hungry people.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It’s been smooth with some speed bumps, but we have managed to keep our seat belts tightly fastened. Some struggles are the unexpected repairs to our facility or trucks. For example, when our freezer broke down last year it was a $10,000 repair and we also lost more than 21,000 pounds of food. But with the media attention and generosity of the community, we were able to overcome this challenge, fix the freezer and refill it.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about United Food Bank – what should we know?
Our mission is to stabilize the lives of hungry, low-income people within Eastern Maricopa, Gila and Pinal, and Southern Navajo and Apache Counties of Arizona by actively acquiring, storing and distributing large quantities of wholesome and nutritious foods to our network of community and strategic partners, combined with advocacy and educational initiatives that enhance lives.

My job is to ensure we deliver on our commitment to feeding hungry people in Arizona.

Our people want to do well and do their job the best they can. They want to understand how they’re making a difference in fighting hunger in Arizona. The real goal of what we’re doing is to have a positive impact in feeding hungry people.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Our board of directors deserves a lot of credit. They help bring in donors, volunteers and new ideas that help drive our mission. I’d have to say the support from my family has driven me to do the best I can within the organization.

The whole UFB team has played a tremendous role in our successes. From the front desk to the back of the warehouse, we all have a job in helping feed hungry people in Arizona.

Pricing:

• For every $1 donation, we can provide five meals.

Contact Info:

• Address: 245 S. Nina Drive Mesa, AZ 85210
  358 E. Javelina Avenue Mesa, AZ 85210
• Website: www.unitedfoodbank.org
• Phone: (480) 926-4897
• Email: tnansel@unitedfoodbank.org
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/unitedfoodbank/
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/UnitedFoodBank/
• Twitter: @unitedfoodbank

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