At Nourish PHX, a New Look Continues the Mission Bringing Hope and Dignity to the Working Poor!
In the heart of Phoenix, just southwest of Chase Field and the many new high rise condo projects you’ll find an old building that was freshened up earlier this year with a vibrant mural by local artist Lalo Cota. The building houses NourishPHX, an essential service for the working poor, which last year underwent a rebranding from its nearly 40-year history as ICM Food and Clothing Bank.
The rebranding and refreshing is part of an overhaul of this vital inner-city provider of food, clothing and other assistance for families in need led by Executive Director Beth Fiorenza. In recent years, NourishPHX has become a hub for the surrounding South Phoenix community, providing resources and connections that go well beyond the basics of food boxes, clothing, shoes and toiletries. They now offer education and employment assistance, along with classes on financial literacy, healthy eating, dressing for job interviews and more.
Beth believes in the power of collaboration, and constantly seeks out ways for NourishPHX to partner with others, demonstrating that we are stronger when we work together. She’s well aware of the fact that the bottom line is to assist families’ myriad of needs as thoroughly as possible. Customers have learned that this old facility with a new look is a comfortable, friendly place, and that when entering the doors they will be warmly greeted by team members and volunteers who care.
Visiting the facility, everyone present has a smile on their face. I witnessed volunteers seeking to be helpful and supportive while loading up food boxes and shopping with customers in the clothing room. The website states that NourishPHX believes that “no matter the situation, each individual should have hope and dignity when facing the extreme adversity that life hands us, and that each piece of clothing, each piece of food is one-by-one changing the world for good.” The mighty team of volunteers puts this belief into action serving the customers pleasantly and efficiently.
COVID-19 wreaked havoc on all service providers, but NourishPHX continued on, led by Beth through the adversity. The challenges for the organization were nothing compared to those experienced by their customers. NourishPHX adapted and continued their services to the community, realizing that despite everything going on outside, providing food, clothing and other items were essential services that had to continue. Among innovations, a delivery program was begun to ensure that the most endangered customers continued to have the basic supplies they required. In 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, 21,000 families were served.
Beth told me that her job brings her joy. She sees the impact that these services have on struggling individuals and families and knows that the support provided at this old building adds hope and dignity to lives that face seemingly constant challenges and despair.
We all can use a freshening up from time to time. This old building, along with the long-standing community resource it houses, has freshened their appearance and updated their services in order to meet individual and family needs while providing dignity and hope to 100 families a day, five days a week, changing our world for good.
To learn more about Nourish PHX, including volunteer opportunities and a wish list of most needed items, visit www.Nourishphx.org. Arizona taxpayers can receive a dollar-for-dollar charitable tax credit for contributions (QCO #20385).
Dan Shufelt, the former CEO of Arizona Helping Hands, has been involved in the charity world as an executive and grant maker for many years.
If you enjoy learning of caring people and the amazing work they devote their energy to advance, be sure to sign up for Dan’s blog (see sign-up form below).
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