Good News Tucson - A Family Values Magazine

The Giving Tree Needs Tucsonan's Help

In addition to the many programs offered by The Giving Tree, the organization offers a Summer Feeding Program that provides two meals each day to children that receive free or reduced fee meals during the school year. The program is set to begin on May 23 and runs until schools begin their Fall sessions in August. Last year the program served over 145,000 meals. Help is needed this year to continue the program.

You can help by donating
any of the following items:

Grocery store gift cards
Discount store gift cards
Applesauce cups (individual serving size)
Mixed fruit cups (individual serving size)
Yogurt cups (individual serving size)
Commercial size cans of fruit (any kind)
Commercial size cans of vegetables (any kind)
Commercial size mustard, ketchup, mayo
Hot dog buns (500 count)
Hamburger buns (500 count)
Sliced wheat bread
Tortillas
Breakfast burritos (frozen)
Individual serving size cereal packaged so you can pour milk in

Please mail or drop off gift cards to The Giving Tree’s central office at 4888 E. Broadway Blvd. All food products can be dropped off at the Summer Feeding Program kitchen at 4650 E. Eastland at the corner of Swan (between Broadway and 22nd St.)

What do you do if everything you’ve dreamed about is gone in a moment? If you’re Libby Wright, Executive Director of The Giving Tree Outreach Program, you keep pressing on.

Early in the morning on Saturday, March 1st, an arsonist’s fire destroyed what was to become The Giving Tree’s newest facility at South Rosemont Blvd and East 22nd. The building would have been home to many of the programs operated by the giving tree, as well as a distribution center for food boxes and a shelter for families.

“We do not know why bad things happen, but we do know who will see us through,” said Wright.

The Giving Tree was in the final phases of closing on the facility when the fire destroyed the building, causing an estimated $750,000 in damages.

“We did not have insurance on the contents or the down payment. It sounds crazy because we have a $2 million dollar policy, but it did not apply to the building because the title had not yet transferred.”

The loss suffered was more than just the building; located inside were the organization’s computers, school supplies, furniture, appliances, clothing, linens, sewing machines, and much more.

“At this point, we are still not sure what the future holds, but we do know that a lot of children and families who were promised a home had to be told that their new home was in ashes. Homeless children, elderly and the disabled were greatly impacted.”

The Giving Tree has been around Tucson for some time, operating programs for nearly 20 years. The organization feeds 1,000 people a week, and its job-training program found work for 283 people last year. Their endeavors also include a thrift shop, mentoring programs, and a Children’s choir.

Now is the time for Tucsonans to give to a group that has been giving selflessly to our community. The Giving Tree program needs help in the form of food donations, clothing and home donations, and major help in the rebuilding of the destroyed facility.

Click the church box to visit their website and learn more!

Click here for full size image

“Because of the fire, we have an urgent need to find a temporary shelter in our neighborhood of Swan and 22nd St. We took in extra families because we knew they could move into the new facility.”
“They trusted us to help them. We need your help and prayers to help us not let them down.”

Financial donations can be sent to:

The Giving Tree at
4888 E. Broadway Blvd.
TUcson, AZ 85711

For more information about the Giving Tree, visit their website at www.thegivingtreeoutreach.org or send an email to volunteers@thegivingtreeoutreach.org.