WE•CARENEWSLETTER FAL L 2026
YOU'RE BUILDING A STRONGER COMMUNITY Every gift to ICS creates
meaningful opportunities for change, helping individuals, families, and older adults move from crisis toward stability. Your generosity provides immediate relief during times of hardship while building a foundation for longterm security, independence, and a stronger future. By meeting basic needs, your support helps families keep a roof over their heads, maintain essential utilities, and access emergency financial assistance when they need it most. Beyond immediate
relief, your donations empower people to regain independence, overcome unexpected challenges, and move forward with confidence. For older adults, your generosity supports services that promote
dignity, connection, and the ability to remain safely in their own homes. Every donation—no matter the size—creates a lasting impact by changing lives and helping people build a more stable future. creating opportunities for a brighter tomorrow.
Donate!
2820 W. Ina Rd. Tucson, AZ 85741
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID TUCSON, AZ PERMIT #2874
EVENTS AT A GLANCE October - December
UPCOMING CLOSURES
October 1 - 31 Fall Food Drive Learn more at: icstucson.org/fallfood
Nov 26-28 all offices and food banks closed in observance of Thanksgiving.
Volunteer Orientations Wednesday, October 14, 1–3 p.m. (virtual) Wednesday, October 28, 1–3 p.m. (in-person) Wednesday, November 11, 1–3 p.m. (virtual) Wednesday, December 2, 1–3 p.m. (in-person) Wednesday, December 16, 1–3 p.m. (virtual) Friday, October 23, 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Dine for a Cause at Snooze’s 4th Birthday Bash (7315 N Oracle Rd)— 10% of all sales benefit ICS programs! Saturday, October 24, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tucson Classics Car Show Presented by Rotary Club of Tucson. Benefiting ICS and 2 other charities. Thursday–Saturday, November 26-28 ICS offices and food banks closed for Thanksgiving Now through December Gifts of Love: Adopt a child or older adult for the holidays. icstucson.org/giftsoflove
Dec 21-25 all ICS offices closed Dec 21-Jan 3 Mobile Food Bank not in operation Dec 24, 25, 26, and Jan 1 NW Food Bank closed
EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR AWARD ICS CEO Tom McKinney was named Executive Leader of the Year at the August 12th UNITE Conference, hosted by Arizona Impact for Good. Congratulations, Tom!
Save The Date!
CEO Tom McKinney reciving award from Arizona Impact for good representatives.
520-297-6049 | info@icstucson.org | www.icstucson.org
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If you are receiving duplicate publications from ICS, please let us know at 520-526-9293.
COMMUNITY DRIVE UPDATES 9/11 National Day of Service & Remembrance: 25 Years A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated in our Hygiene Drive in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 National Day of Service.
With your help, we collected enough hygiene supplies to make 365 bags. Founded by AmeriCorps, the 9/11 National Day of Service is an annual event that honors the heroes who rose up in service in response to the attacks of September 11, 2001. As we mark 25 years of remembrance and service, our community came together in the same spirit of compassion and generosity that emerged in the days following 9/11. Thank you to everyone who donated, volunteered, and helped make a difference. Your kindness and commitment to serving others continue to strengthen our Southern Arizona community. IMAGES: Top Center: Volunteers assembling hygiene bags on 9/11. Bottom Left: and Right: Volunteers organizing donations
Record Breaking Peanut Butter Party 2026 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated peanut butter during July. Thanks to your incredible generosity, we collected more than 15,000 jars! Because of our supportive community, we’ll be able to spread a whole lot more love (and peanut butter) to families in our community facing food insecurity. Thank you for helping us make such a meaningful impact! IMAGES: Top Left: 9-year-old "Peanut Butter Powerhouse" from Christ the King Episcopal Church with peanut butter she helped collect. Top Right: Peanut butter donation from Desert Diamond Casino. Bottom Right: Peanut Butter Man Stevie Cupo from Mountain Shadows Episcopal Church. Bottom Left: Community member Johanna Cordeo posing with ICS Outreach staff member Becky Lococo and donated peanut butter.
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EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE Free Produce Giveaways Begin In November From November through May, ICS coordinates Free Produce Giveaways at six sites around Tucson. Staffed by volunteers from local businesses and faith communities, giveaways ensure that rescued produce and other food items get to people who can use them. Produce is provided by the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona in partnership with local farmers, businesses and produce rescue programs.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO • Everyone is welcome! NO documentation (ID or proof of residence in Pima County) is required. • We recommend arriving early, as distribution may end once all available produce has been distributed. • Distribution is a drive-through model—you remain in your vehicle. Walk-up clients are also welcome. • Food received is separate from the monthly allotment of emergency food and will not affect food bank eligibility.
2026-27 FREE PRODUCE DISTRIBUTION SCHEDULE El Pueblo Community Center
8:00 to 10:00 a.m. 101 W. Irvington Nov. 20, Dec. 18, Jan. 22, Feb. 19, Mar. 19, Apr. 23, May 21
ICS Northwest Food Bank
5:30 to 7:30 a.m. 2820 W. Ina Road Nov. 7, Dec. 5, Jan. 9, Feb. 6, Apr. 3, May 1
Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church
8:00 to 10:00 a.m. 210 E. Lester Street Nov. 14, Dec. 12, Jan. 16, Feb. 13, Mar. 13, Apr. 17, May 15
Northminster Presbyterian Church
8:00 to 10:00 a.m. 2450 E. Ft. Lowell Road Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 14, Feb. 11, Mar. 11, Apr. 15, May 13
Campus of Sacred Heart Catholic Church 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. 601 E. Ft. Lowell Road Nov. 6, Dec.4, Jan. 8, Feb. 5, Mar. 5, Apr. 2, May 7
Unleashed Christian Church
8:00 to 10:00 a.m. 265 W. Valencia Road Nov. 13, Dec. 11, Jan. 15, Feb. 12, Mar. 12, Apr. 16, May 14 *All dates and times are subject to change.
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VOLUNTEERS Volunteer at ICS: Make a Difference Make a difference in your community by volunteering with ICS. Whether you have a few hours each week, a few hours each month, or can help on an as-needed basis, we offer flexible opportunities to fit a variety of schedules. Contact Alexis Wilson to learn more about service opportunities: (520) 297-6049 or volunteer@icstucson.org.
SENIOR SERVICES
FOOD DISTRIBUTION
Help older and disabled adults live safely and independently by providing transportation, friendly visits, wellness calls, meal delivery, and other essential support. Just a few hours of your time can make a lasting difference.
Help fight food insecurity by distributing food through our Mobile Food Distribution, Northwest Food Bank, or Free Produce Giveaways. Your time helps ensure individuals and families have access to nutritious food.
READY TO VOLUNTEER? SCAN TO SIGN-UP NOW!
LIFE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAMS Help individuals build pathways toward greater stability and success. Volunteers support programs that provide education, financial empowerment, career guidance, and resources to help participants overcome barriers and achieve their goals.
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EVENTS MAKE THE HOLIDAYS MERRY FOR A FAMILY IN NEED Gifts of Love is a need-based annual drive to provide holiday gifts for children, teens, and older and disabled adults living alone. It brings joy to families living below the poverty line, and to older adults who might not receive any other gifts this year.
ADOPT A CHILD OR OLDER ADULT Provide gifts using provided wish lists that include preferences like size and favorite color. The online adoption portal will be open in November.
MAKE A MONETARY DONATION Want to help but don’t have time to shop? Monetary donations can be used to buy presents for clients who don’t get adopted through the portal before the deadline. ICS volunteers do the shopping. Image: Omni Hotel representatives with Gifts of Love 2025 donation.
Tucson Classics Car Show Presented by Rotary of Tucson to Support ICS October 24, 2026 ICS is thrilled to be a beneficiary of this year’s Tucson Classics Car Show! $4 from every ticket purchased using the QR code shown here goes directly to support ICS. Plus, every ticket includes one entry to win a 2026 Corvette Stingray! Buy a ticket for an unforgettable day featuring 400+ classic cars and trucks, great food, live music, vendors, fun for the whole family, and support ICS!
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Scan to purchase your tickets and support ICS!
IMPACT STORIES More Than Food—A Moment of Joy When a food box recipient’s teenage son celebrated his birthday, her ICS food box driver helped make the day special with cupcakes and party favors—something she would not have been able to provide on her own. For this client, monthly food boxes have provided important support since her meal program ended, and she is deeply grateful for the kindness of ICS staff and volunteers. This thoughtful gesture is a reminder that ICS provides more than food. It provides care, connection, and support when it matters
Elizabeth Finds A Job Through ICS WorkForce Development, Elizabeth gained the tools and confidence to move closer to her career goals. She is excited to begin her new role as a Behavioral Health Technician, supporting autistic and intellectually disabled individuals through care plans focused on encouragement, positive instruction, and growth. Elizabeth is especially grateful for guidance with resume formatting, understanding how employers evaluate qualifications, and finding valuable job-search resources. She has even shared these tools with friends seeking employment.
Pathway Back to Stability During one of the most challenging times in her life, Leanne turned to ICS for help. Emergency Financial Assistance provided the support she needed to maintain her housing and catch up on overdue utility bills. Leanne shared that ICS helped her through an incredibly chaotic and difficult time of crisis, and provided encouragement and a pathway back to stability when she needed it most. www.icstucson.org | 7
Stocking Shelves and Supporting Families October 1-31 Help ICS stock our food banks for the months ahead! Donate individually or organize a drive with your workplace, school, faith community, neighborhood, or other group.
Learn More!
Collection Items: •
Canned meats (Spam, tuna, chicken, etc.)
•
Canned vegetables
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Boxed and bagged stuffing mixes
•
Boxed baking mixes (Jiffy, cake mixes, etc.)
•
Gravy packets, mix, or canned gravy
•
Cranberry sauce
•
Canned pumpkin or other canned fruit
•
Cream of mushroom soup
•
Anything you think would add to a nice holiday meal
520-297-6049
www.icstucson.org
info@icstucson.org
Northwest Office
Eastside Food Drop Off
Central Office
2820 W. Ina Road Tucson, AZ 85741 campus of Christ the King Episcopal
8701 E. Old Spanish Trail Tucson, AZ 85710 campus of New Spirit Lutheran
122 N. Craycroft Rd. Tucson, AZ 85711 campus of Rincon Congregational UCC
If you are receiving duplicate publications from ICS, please let us know at 520-526-9293.