The Arizona Hunger Campaign- Join Our Cause

Food pantries are everywhere, right?  Usually around the holidays you donate some canned goods to your local grocery bins and do your much needed part, and this sustains the system, right?  It’s not like the US is in a hunger crisis such as Africa, and this isn’t an issue as close-to-home as something like current tax changes or the suffering economy….right?

We’re wrong.  All of us are very wrong in thinking (or not thinking) about this issue.  There is most certainly a hunger need in this country, this state, this county, and your town.  In Arizona, 19.2% of all children under 18 are food-insecure, which is the fifth highest rate in the country (Dept. of Health and Human Services).  When the economy started falling, the needy only became needier, but with everyone else struggling, it’s been leaving our donations very short, so short in fact that many of our pantries are completely empty and as our amazing, kind-hearted, outspoken, go-getting friend Jen Thye of Imoni Events was good enough to remind us, this is something we need to turn around.  We at the Kimberly Jarman Photography Studio are joining Jen in her crusade to raise 1000 pounds of food in two weeks for the Arizona Hunger Campaign in every way that we can, and we’re reaching out to all we know to help us in this cause.

We want to ensure she reaches her goal, so we are adding in a benefit for the person that brings us the most food, in pounds, to donate to the Arizona Hunger Campaign- a free portrait session and $200 print credit.  Yep, we’re pretty serious here, people.  We’re asking for food donations to be brought here, to our studio, by June 18th, and the person with the most food in pounds will be rewarded with a free session and $200 print credit.

We’d like to take this moment to turn the floor over to Jen with the details of this crisis, as her words speak so much better than ours, and hope that everyone reading can find a moment to bring their donations to the studio and we can fully support Jen in her important and giving cause.

Dear Friends-

This email comes to you with a very broken heart….

Recently I had a girlfriend try to volunteer her family at a food bank for Disney’s “Give a Day, Get a Day” promotion only to find out that they literally have no food in their pantry.  Then I was at church this weekend and was informed of a state wide push to fill the pantries called The Arizona Hunger Campaign.  Their goal is to make sure no child goes to bed hungry.  You can click here to read about it’s kick off that occurred this past May 6th.

To be very vulnerable with you all, since my pride is much less important than this cause, I have very vivid memories of walking to food banks when I was a kid.  My mom was an uneducated, single mother who worked two jobs to make ends meet.  But most months she fell short.  If it wasn’t for food boxes, my mom would have to endure putting us to bed with growling tummies.  As a mom now, I can’t even imagine that scene without breaking into tears.  My mom was one strong lady though, so I am going to be just as strong, and bold.

So, I am asking for your help. I personally want to make a difference in this Arizona Hunger Campaign.  But I would love your help!  I need your help! You can help two ways.

1.  You can buy any of the following items:

Peanut butter & jelly
Spaghetti sauce & pasta
Canned meat such as Tuna or Chicken
Canned fruit & vegetables
Cereal
Canned soup
Macaroni & cheese
Rice
Boxed meals (like Tuna Helper)
Canned meals (chili, Spaghetti Os, etc.)
Boxed desserts (instant pudding, gelatin, brownie mix, etc.)

The goal of Arizona Hunger is to raise 5 million pounds of food in one year.  My personal goal is to raise at least 1000 pounds of food in the next two weeks.  Huge goal, but I know we can do it.  In addition to what I am going to donate already, I am going to match whatever you donate to this cause.  Dollar for dollar, can for can.  This means a lot to me.

This issue ways very heavy on my heart, but I am hoping the next two weeks will change lots of lives for the better, including yours.  Thank you in advance for playing your part!

Love you all!

Jenni

It’s not an isolated problem when it’s a problem in the community in which you live.  This is our state, these are our children, and this is something we can all do our part to completely change.  Please call or email us at the studio, and bring in your donations ASAP.  And don’t forget, the person who brings the most will be receiving a FREE portrait session and $200 print credit!  We applaud Jen and stand right behind her in this goal, as we know you all will too!

Studio Info:

126 W. Main Street

Mesa, AZ 85201

480.203.1090

jenny@kimberlyjarman.com

Studio Hours:  Tues-Fri 9-3

If you need to drop off during non-studio hours, please contact Jenny to make arrangements