Giving is Changing, Vol. 2
Meeting the Moment with Creativity and Care to Support Basic Needs
This fall, Maslow’s hierarchy of needs has been on my mind. Meeting our basic needs—food, water, shelter—seems increasingly challenging in our desert communities. In this edition of the Steady Saguaro, I want to focus on food.
The Basics
With the federal government shut down, the USDA has suspended Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for individuals and families nationwide, including in Southern Arizona. This means more hungry kids, elders, and pregnant moms in our communities. Arizona’s Department of Economic Security website is a good place to stay up to date on nutrition assistance.
What do nonprofit leaders have to say about this crisis?
They stand ready to help, and they need support. In September, even before the shutdown, nonprofit leaders shared with me that they had seen an increased demand in their food distribution programs. When asked one thing that he’d like donors to know, one nonprofit leader commented in a recent nonprofit survey, “Without a dedicated staff, programs cannot effectively function. There is a need for easier access to unrestricted funding to pay for the staff who run and manage these vital programs.”
What can you do?
To help neighbors who may need assistance right now, CFSA has prepared a list of local food resources offering immediate support. If your means allow, please consider making a gift to one of these organizations. Perhaps go one step further and give to a rural food bank outside your local area, as well as an organization close to you. With the tax benefits of giving changing as of January 1, 2026, this fall is the perfect time to make a larger gift—give your tax advisor a call.
Finally, I love how creative we get here in Southern Arizona with our giving. Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting legendary Tucson chef Janos Wilder at his new private dining room, Studio Janos, in downtown Tucson. Janos and I had a long talk about the humble and delicious ingredients of our Sonoran desert—squash, mesquite, and nopalitos. He is putting out a call to nonprofits to partner with him, using private dinners to achieve significant fundraising goals. I walked away impressed—and hungry. Reach out to him to learn more.
Together We BLOOM
As we head into the holidays, it’s worth remembering that food is more than a basic need. It’s connection, dignity, and culture. When our neighbors struggle to meet that need, we all feel the impact. I hope you’ll join me in supporting the organizations working every day to keep our communities nourished. Together, we can make sure every family in Southern Arizona has access to good food and a sense of belonging at the table. After all, in Southern Arizona, together we BLOOM.
In Community,
Jenny Flynn
President & CEO
Community Foundation for Southern Arizona
Update: SNAP benefits will restart at half the normal amount using emergency funds. Delays are expected as states adjust systems, and food banks alone cannot fill the gap, leaving millions of low-income families facing uncertainty.