The Tombstone Community Food Bank is making waves in the town.

Dawn Fahrenbacher, manager of the Tombstone Community Food Bank, has only been employed for two weeks, but has already seen progress.

“We have seen a lot of people come in and out, and it is just nice to see them appreciate what they are getting,” says Fahrenbacher. “You can see it on their faces that they really are happy for it.”

Fahrenbacher is the only paid employee of the Tombstone Community Food Bank, although she does look over three volunteers.

Not only does it seem that the citizens of Tombstone are appreciating the generosity of the food bank, but so are Fahrenbacher and her volunteers. “We really enjoy doing it because those who come only take what they need, which gives more to others,” says Fahrenbacher. “We get a lot of people that are just waiting a couple of more days until they receive their paychecks and need a boost.”

As of now, the Tombstone Community Food Bank is being funded by a grant from the Tucson Community Food Bank. However, it will be turned over to Tombstone by September 2012.

“A year from now, we’ll be funded entirely by the city, which is exciting,” says Fahrenbacher. “It will be a much more hands on experience.”

With food from the Tucson Community Food Bank rolling into town every third Thursday of the month, Tombstone is able to supply its people with more food on that day than any other day of the month, according to Fahrenbacher. However, the majority of the food that the Tombstone Community Food Bank supplies is donated through churches, grocery stores and even fire stations.

George Barnes, Tombstone’s City Clerk and Manager, sees the food bank as a savior for the town.

“The food bank has been such a positive addition to the community and is a great operation,” says Barnes. “It is really nice to be tied to Tucson and have our folks be taken care of.”

With the Tombstone Community Food Bank reaching numbers upward of 120 people a month, one would assume that they would be of all ages; apparently not. “We get a lot of people coming in that are over 40 who don’t have much. Very rarely do we ever see younger people or couples who are trying to supply food for their families.”

Citizens of Tombstone are also pleased about the town’s food bank.

Mike Jones, a Tombstone gunfighter, says that it makes a huge difference to the community.

“The food bank really helps folks out in town, because some of us don’t have drivers licenses and having this here really does a lot,” says Jones. “People here really appreciate everything they do.”

The Tombstone Community Food Bank is open every Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the week.

As of this upcoming spring, Fahrenbacher hopes to see a new garden planted behind the building to lend a hand to the produce section of the food bank.