TEMPE, October 24, 2022 – Financial-services firm Edward Jones plans to collect 100,000 pounds of food during its annual Bag-A-Thon event whereby 1,000 Edward Jones associates are joining the fight against food insecurity.
Over 300 Edward Jones branch teams are inviting clients and community members to donate food on Oct. 29 at the Edward Jones Tempe home office. Donations will go to the United Food Bank and the Tempe Community Action Agency, which support thousands of Arizona families who struggle with hunger.
Arizona has the third highest child food insecurity rate in the country, with 456,000 children facing hunger daily. That's why Edward Jones has increased its annual Bag-A-Thon goal to 100,000 pounds of food. With every 1.2 pounds of food equating to one meal, 100,000 pounds would be 83,330 meals for needy families.
How to Help
Edward Jones associates and local agencies are calling on community members to bring a bag of food to its Bag-A-Thon drive between 8 and 11 am on Oct. 29 at 8333 South River Parkway in Tempe's Arizona State University Research Park.
Additionally, over 300 local Edward Jones branch offices will collect donations from Oct. 10 through 28.
What is Needed Most
- Canned meat
- Milk-canned/dried
- Canned fruit and vegetables
- Soups, stews, chili, beans
- Rice and pasta
- Cereal-whole grain, low sugar
- Partnering for Positive Impact
The Bag-A-Thon event embodies the firm's purpose -- to partner for positive impact to improve the lives of its clients and colleagues and together, better communities and society. This is the third annual Bag-A-Thon held by Edward Jones in the Phoenix-area and the 15th year Edward Jones has held the food drive in the state of Arizona.
"Edward Jones is embedded in our local communities and we feel a responsibility to support the communities where we live, work and serve," said Ken Blanchard, an Edward Jones principal who began the firm's food drives in Arizona. "To be able to give back alongside our clients and our communities is one way to make a meaningful difference."
Edward Jones has over 1,300 associates in the Phoenix area.
“It takes a lot of helping hands in the community to ensure we can get food to the people that need it most," said Becca Gilbert, United Food Bank Food drive manager. We are so grateful to community partners, like Edward Jones, who go the extra mile and host food drives, so we can make sure we have enough food to assist the people that need it most in our community.”
For more information on Bag-A-Thon drop sites, please visit www.edwardjones.com/bag-a-thon. Edward Jones cannot accept gift cards, cash or checks as donations.
About Edward Jones
Edward Jones, a Fortune 500 firm, provides financial services in the U.S. and through its affiliate in Canada. The firm's nearly 19,000 financial advisors serve more than 8 million clients with a total of $1.6 trillion in client assets under care. Edward Jones' purpose is to partner for positive impact to improve the lives of its clients and colleagues, and together, better our communities and society. Through the dedication of the firm's 50,000 associates and our branch presence in 68 percent of U.S. counties, the firm is committed to helping more people achieve financially what is most important to them. The Edward Jones website is at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting website is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC.
About United Food Bank
United Food Bank has provided hunger relief to people in the East Valley and eastern Arizona since 1983. As a Feeding America member food bank, we collect, acquire, store, and distribute food to 150 partner agencies and programs throughout five counties. United Food Bank distributes more than 22.7 million pounds of food annually, that’s 52,000 meals per day. Visit us at www.UnitedFoodBank.org to learn more about our mission and find ways you can help.
About Tempe Community Action Agency
Tempe Community Action Agency (TCAA)’s mission is to foster dignity and self-reliance in the economically vulnerable within the communities we serve. We help those who are struggling to obtain adequate food, shelter and income support, as well as seniors and disabled adults working to attain their highest level of independence. Acting with financial support from the community we serve, TCAA operates a food pantry, Senior Independence Programming, the Interfaith Homeless Emergency Lodging Shelter (I-HELP), Oasis Drop-In Center, Community Action Program, healthy families programming, Escalante Community Garden, Financial Success Center, and other projects and programs that serve people and families seeking to improve their quality of life. For more information, please visit www.tempeaction.org.
