Foothills Food Bank of Cave Creek, Arizona

Foothills Food Bank provides an emergency supply of food, referral information and financial assistance to individuals and families in the foothills area that are in a crisis situation.

Food is our primary resource for our registered clients who live in our designated area. Clients can receive the following types of groceries:

•30 Day or Monthly Food-Once per month, 30 lbs. of food per person in household for 3 days. Included is a variety of meats, soups, cereals, pasta and sauce, baked goods, detergent, paper towels, toilet paper, water, fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, pet food when needed, and personal items when available.
•7 Day Food-Once a week our clients can visit and obtain fruits and vegetables, bread and baked goods, any snack and soup items available, baby food and wipes, and any surplus we have. This will help stretch the week for each household.
•Care Club-Is an additional resource put in place to assist in-need households with purchasing groceries. The Foothills Food Bank provides groceries at a discounted rate to those participating in the program. Care Club takes place on the first Wednesday and the third Thursday of each month.

The Foothills Food Bank now provides a limited supply of gluten-free food for those who are gluten-intolerant in our community. We have partnered with Caring Corp to supply food to our home-bound clients. The Food Bank provides the food and packaging, being sensitive to certain dietary needs. Caring Corp delivers the packages.

We provide limited amounts of pet food for dogs and cats. The goal is to keep pets with their families, as pets are often given up in times of financial strain. Clients with pets may request pet food on their Monthly Food request.

Areas we serve are North along I-17 to Black Canyon City, West to I-17, South to Pinnacle Peak and East to Rio Verde.

Services provided :

  • food delivery
  • food pantry
  • animal welfare

Appointments :

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7. For the full set of services, you can call (480) 488-1145 to book your appointment.

Address :

6038 E Hidden Valley Dr,
Cave Creek, AZ 85331.
Get Directions

Hours Of Operations :

  • Mon: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
  • Tues: 09:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Wed: 09:00 AM - 03:00 PM
  • Thurs: 10:00 AM - 08:00 PM
  • Fri: 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM
  • Sat: Closed
  • Sun: Closed

Help Residents of Counties:

  • Maricopa

Appointments

You can privately and easily book your appointment online for select services 24/7.

For the full set of services, you can call (480) 488-1145 to book your appointment. Staff can also answer any questions you may have.

Tips for Visiting a Food Pantry

Show up early.

This is very important. This means you will be first in line and have a chance to get the items that are sought after and in limited quantities such as fresh produce, dairy and frozen food.

You don't usually need to show up hours ahead of time but coming at least an hour before is usually a good idea.

Remember all documentation.

Many food pantries require documentation to prove who you are, and in some cases, where you live.

This is to make sure people are not coming more than they are allowed or using fake names to do so. Call ahead of time to find out what documentation is needed.

It's just your photo ID and a piece of mail that verifies your address.

Use several food banks.

Using more than one food bank (when available) is smart because you may be able to get something at one that you may not get at another.

For instance, one may have a deal with a local gardener that gives them their extras. This may mean this food bank has more produce.

Eligible for other programs?

Ask your Department of Social Services office if you are eligible for other assistance programs to supplement your household’s food supply.

They can easily tell you if you can apply for WIC (Women and Infant Children), USDA Commodities or SNAP(Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits.

Ask about extras.

If you have special needs for infants or special diets, the pantries may be able to assist you.

Many times, they can help with diapers, baby formula, baby food, personal hygiene products, and even special diet items like gluten free or sugar free foods.

Go on different days of the week.

Depending on the food pantry, they may be open only one or two days a week or they may be open all seven days. When you have a choice, going midweek is often best as it is less crowded.

Be polite to workers.

Nearly everyone at a food bank is a volunteer. Be polite to the workers there as they often deal with highly emotional situations.

FAQ(Frequently Asked Questions)

1. What is the difference between a food bank and a food pantry?

Independent community food pantries are self-governing and usually distribute food to their clients on a once-a-month basis. A food bank is the storehouse for millions of pounds of food and other products that go out to the community. A food pantry functions as the arms that reach out to that community directly.

2. What kind of food is at a food pantry?

Specifically, food banks often need items like:

  • Peanut butter
  • Canned soup
  • Canned fruit
  • Canned vegetables
  • Pasta
  • Canned beans
  • Canned stew
  • Canned fish

3. Who can go to food pantry?

At the majority of food pantries, eligibility is based on self-attested need. You do not need to have a referral, and income is not a factor to receive food.

4. What is the difference between a food pantry and a soup kitchen?

A food pantry provides three-day food packages to families that have a place to live, but not enough food. These packages are designed to provide nutritionally balanced meals. Soup kitchens serve individuals in need of a hot meal, the only meal of the day for many of them.

5. How does a food pantry work?

Food Banks acquire large donations of edible but unmarketable food from the food industry and distribute it to organizations that feed hungry people. Then they provide this food to family in a need.