The Tombstone Food Bank is supported by donations, so the amount of healthy food choices can sometimes be limited.

"We purchase fresh meat and produce as often as we can with the donations we receive," volunteer Ann Gill said. "Most food is purchased at local grocery stores as well as locations in larger cities that provide the food at a discounted price for bulk."

The food bank gathers items from the Tucson food bank agency market, a market that supplies food banks with produce two to three times a month. Most of the healthy food the food bank receives is from this market, said Barbara Turner, president of the Tombstone Food Bank.

"We are very blessed to be able to shop at the Tucson Community Food Bank agency market," Turner said. "The produce will last us two to three weeks. It is always nice and fresh."

Gill says that most families come to the food bank about once a month.

"Many of our clients only come in if they absolutely need to," she said. "We are here to help them build upon what they have in order to create healthy meals."

Each family is allowed to receive aid from the food bank up to twice a month.

It is approximately 20 miles to the nearest supermarket so the food bank also provides a convenient outlet for those who may not be able to make the trip.

In addition to the supplies gathered by the food bank, the government also uses the food bank's facilities to distribute produce once per month. Locals are allowed to receive aid from the government's supplies in addition to their two monthly opportunities to shop from the city bank.

"The great thing about this day is that the government usually lets [the Tombstone Food Bank] keep the excess food that was not distributed," Gill said.
Clients use shopping carts to collect various items on the shelves of the food bank. Each family is allowed one item per shelf and one fresh vegetable when supplies are available.

The food bank has been well received by the Tombstone community.

"I am impressed," said Tombstone local Sandy Winner as she shopped with a family member. "People need it. The economy is bad and people can use the help. It's a good system and it works."

Though the amount of fresh produce and meat may not always be abundant, volunteers at the food bank work with their clients to create the healthiest meals possible with what they do have.

"We often print up recipes to teach people how to prepare food and encourage them to cook from scratch," Gill said. "We also do our best to help new people in town get proper facilities and cookware to cook the food."

The food bank also gives families a special food box for the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, Gill said.

In addition to the services provided by the food bank and the government, there are various locations around Tombstone that serve as distribution centers for fresh produce received from Nogales.

"When we get fresh produce from Nogales it is specifically for the food bank to distribute to the community," Turner said. "The locations sometimes vary but, generally, produce is available in places like American Legion, The Gift of Giving and the Catholic Church."
The food bank moved from its old location on Fourth and Allen streets and has been at its new location, 15 San Diego Drive, since November 2008.

"It's a real pleasure giving back," said Helen Mackey, Tombstone Food Bank board member.

The food bank is open Thursday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m. For donation information, call (520) 457-3697 or Barbara Turner at (520) 678-4738. For general information, visit the food bank at their current location off Highway 80 behind the firehouse at 15 San Diego Drive. In addition, to the food made available to Tombstone locals, the food bank also provides gently used, donated clothes and shoes.