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Phoenix-based St. Mary's sends trucks full of water, snacks to California to aid fire relief

Phoenix-based St. Mary’s Food Bank donated 35,000 bottles of water to California to help those who were displaced by the wildfires there.
St. Mary's Food Bank
Phoenix-based St. Mary’s Food Bank donated 35,000 bottles of water to California to help those who were displaced by the wildfires there.

As crews continue efforts to contain the fires burning in Southern California, an Arizona food bank is doing what it can to help.

St. Mary’s Food Bank often acts as a first responder to fires and floods in Arizona, but it’s also part of a regional network of organizations that help out across state lines.

Director of Media Relations Jerry Brown said late Tuesday they got a call from their Feeding America food bank partners in Los Angeles asking for help.

“We have a lot of things on supply that they need," Brown said. "This time it was water and ready-made snacks. So we sent about 35,000 bottles of water, which was an entire semitruck load of water and an entire semitruck load of snacks.”

The American Red Cross is requesting donations as wildfires place volunteers from Arizona in Southern California to assist with shelters.

Brown said the supplies will go to people who’ve had to leave their homes due to the fires or to keep fire crews fed and hydrated while they work to contain the blazes.

If anyone would like to donate water to help them replenish, the food bank is accepting water donations at its Phoenix and Surprise locations or a donation of $25 on its website to purchase more bottled water.

"Hot weather and the need for water is just around the corner and we're always building up our supply to make sure we have plenty on hand for the summer months," Brown said. "This may not be the last time we hear from the LA fires either."

Senior field correspondent Bridget Dowd has a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.