By: Vickie Denning, Communications Director

You already know that because of your love for our community and your ongoing generosity, our Food Ministry is able to impact many lives. You also know that behind the scenes, we have a whole crew of hardworking volunteers doing the organization and labor necessary to keep a large ministry operating smoothly.

Two of those volunteers, Johnice Mitchell and Janet Smith, were recognized by Ben’s Bells. Ben’s Bells is a Tucson-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to teach individuals and communities about the positive impacts of intentional kindness and to inspire people to practice kindness as a way of life.

Johnice and Janet deflect the well-deserved honor from Ben’s Bells to the entire Food Ministry team. Team members include Mary Andersen, Susan Fissell, Nancy Jindrick, Susan Johnson, Jim Verhaeghe, and Jane Young.

In 2021, your donations, the support of the TVLC staff and facilities, and the work of the team made it possible to provide 221 food baskets for Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Families in the midst of crisis are referred by TUSD schools, the Pima County Health Department, United Cerebral Palsy of Southern Arizona, Banner Cancer Care Center, the Southern Arizona Veterans Administration, and Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest Refugee Resettlement, as well as TVLC members. In addition, our Food Ministry supports the UA Campus Pantry and Victory Outreach, a recovery home for men.

Congratulations to Johnice, Janet, and the entire Food Ministry team! And, thank you for allowing TVLC to tackle food insecurity for so many in our community.