26 APRIL 2023 By Cassie Hepler The seventh annual Arcadia Cares: Food for Kidz Packathon became a success after Arcadians as young as three headed to Prince of Peach Church in March to help pack meals for disadvantaged families. This year, the goal was to pack 120,000 meals, bringing the seven-year total to 700K. The spirit of giving was evident as volunteers packed 139,000 meals, bringing the final tally to 721,628. Packathon Chair Stephen Crofton spearheads this community event. He said that this year, volunteers packaged two types of meals: one was primarily oatmeal, and the other had rice, beans, vegetables and vitamins. “The meals are donated to food banks and other organizations for distribution to children and their families facing food insecurity. To prepare the meals, the person pours the bag’s contents into boiling water and can add other ingredients,” Crofton said. As Phoenix faces rising homelessness and living costs, the community’s volunteer event is much needed. It began at Crofton’s request. “In 2014, I asked the Prince of Peace Church council to authorize the Packathon and become the host site and primary sponsor. I recruited volunteers to serve on a committee,” he said. Crofton felt the location would be a good fit for the Arcadia area for three reasons: “One, hunger is a serious problem locally and around the world. Two, I was confident that Arcadia and nearby communities would be willing to help families suffering from food insecurity. And three, I thought it could have wide appeal because it is a worthy cause,” Crofton said. “It requires only an hour or two of time once per year, takes place close to home, is open to virtually everyone, and is a wholesome activity that people can work on together.” Prince of Peace has a long history of encouraging community use of its campus and can facilitate the event through its website and donations. The cost of ingredients is currently 17 cents per meal – which helped the event send more than 113,000 meals to a food bank for distribution in the Phoenix area. “Approximately 75 percent of the meals are donated to a local food bank that distributes them to shelters, halfway houses, families and others facing food insecurity in the Phoenix area,” Crofton said. Several thousand meals go to students, families, school staff and others on the Navajo Indian Reservation in northeast Arizona. Roughly 20 percent of the meals are given to the Food for Kidz organization, based in Minnesota, which ships meals to countries like Haiti, Honduras and Ukraine and American communities affected by hurricanes and other disasters. Over 500 volunteers showed up this year and Crofton expects even more next year. “Hands-on volunteer work helps kids develop their sense of empathy for those less fortunate and their commitment to giving back. By including kids, the entire family can spend quality time together,” he said. “Kids who do volunteer work and see their parents, siblings, teachers, coaches and others engaged in volunteerism are likelier to be active volunteers as adults.” popphoenix.org Arcadia Cares Packathon sets donation record More than 500 people came out to help at this year’s Packathon. PHOTO COURTESY OF STEPHEN CROFTON HIGHPLACEMORTGAGE.COM | 800.996.0662 2930 E CAMELBACK ROAD, SUITE 175 | PHOENIX, AZ 85016 ▶ Conventional Loans ▶ First-time Home Buyers ▶ Construction Loans ▶ Portfolio Products ▶ Private Money ▶ Bank Statement Loans ▶ Bridge Loans ▶ Refinances / Purchases ▶ HELOCS / Lines of Credit ▶ FHA Loans ▶ VA Loan Programs ▶ Reverse Mortgages WE MAKE LOANS HAPPEN. From first-time homebuyers to seasoned real estate investors, we’ve got the tools to help with your financing goals. M O R T G AG E W O N D E R I N G H O W TO N AV I G AT E YO U R M O R TG A G E N E E D S W H E N I N T E R E S T RATES ARE HIGH? L E T U S H E L P YO U B U I L D T H E R I G H T F I N A N C I N G ST R AT E GY.