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FY25 at a Glance

EVENTS AT A GLANCE

All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise specified. Register or learn more online at icstucson.org.

Happening through May 22

Free Produce Giveaway Season

Visit icstucson.org to view the season schedule

February 1- 28

Lotsa Pasta Food Drive

Visit icstucson.org/lotsapasta for more information

February 4- April 11 VITA Tax Preparation

Wed. & Thurs. 5:00- 8:30 p.m.

Saturday 9 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.

ICS Northwest Office, 2820 W. Ina Road

Monday, March 2

Single Mom Scholars Application Portal Opens Visit icstucson.org to apply

Saturday, March 7, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Empty Bowls Fundraiser

Tucson Chinese Cultural Center- 1288 W. River Rd. Buy tickets at icstucson.org/emptybowls

Wednesday, March 11, 1–3 p.m.

Volunteer Orientation

ICS Northwest Office, 2820 W. Ina Road

Wednesday, March 25, 1–3 p.m.

Volunteer Orientation Online via Zoom

Wednesday, April 7

Arizona Gives Day

April 19-25

Volunteer Appreciation Week

Thank you to our ICS volunteers!

LOTSA PASTA FOOD DRIVE

A month-long Food Drive focused on noodles!

THE GOAL IS TO COLLECT: Thousands of pounds of pasta noodles

• Thousands of pounds of pasta sauce (no glass, please)

WHEN:

The entire month of February. Drop off donations February 1 through 28, 2026.

WHERE:

NORTHWEST OFFICE & FOOD BANK, 2820 W. INA RD

MON-THUR, 8 A.M.-4 P.M.

FRI – SAT 8-11 A.M.

EASTSIDE FOOD DROP-OFF, 8701 E. OLD SPANISH TRAIL

CONTACT BRANDON MILLER TO SCHEDULE A DROP-OFF AT THIS LOCATION (520) 244-3180.

Scan the QR code to shop and deliver with Amazon!

SENIOR SERVICES

The Senior Services program works to help older and disabled adults live independently at home, without the need for institutional care. Most services are FREE.

Call 520-297-6049 to register.

FOOD

Mobile Meals: Fresh or frozen nutritious meals delivered to a participant's home. Serving Northwest Tucson only. See more information below.

Food Box Delivery: Boxes of fresh food and pantry staples from the Food Bank delivered once a month to disabled and older adults.

Grocery Shopping: Volunteers shop using a list and payment provided by the recipient. Groceries are delivered to the recipient’s home. Participant's can also go with a volunteer to complete their shopping.

TRANSPORTATION

Rides to the grocery store and medical appointments.

ICS HELP AT HOME

Wellness Checks: Regular phone calls to check on recipients’ welfare.

Friendly Phoning: Weekly 30-minute phone calls providing conversation and social interaction.

Business Help: Help to sort and read mail, pay bills, balance checkbook, or organize papers.

Sign Up for Mobile Meals

Friendly Visiting: Weekly in-home visits providing social contact while chatting, reading aloud, playing card/board games, watching TV, etc.

Minor Yard Work Volunteers perform minor yard clean-up. Labor is free; recipients provide tools.**

Minor Home Repair: Volunteers do minor home repairs. Labor is free; recipients pay only for materials.**

** Recipients must demonstrate financial need to qualify.

Call 520-297-6049 to sign-up to receive meals.

Frozen or fresh meal delivery from ICS Mobile Meals combines convenient home delivery with the flexibilty to set your own meal schedule. Meals are delivered to a participant's home during the week, and can be heated as needed. Low-sodium, diabetic-friendly, and other options avilable.

ICS transportation volunteer with 2 transportation clients at a Coffee & Conversation event.

LIFE ADVANCEMENT PROGRAMS

Single Mom Scholars

Celebrate Milestones

In December Single Mom Scholars (SMS) were honored at the SMS graduation celebration. Every December and June, ICS dedicates the monthly meeting time to a shared meal, family activities, and a ceremony recognizing Scholars who have reached important milestones, including graduation from their programs.

The graduating Scholars are preparing for careers that are in high demand:

• Nursing

• Education

• Aerospace

• IT/Cybersecurity

We look forward to celebrating the graduation of our 100th Scholar in June!

SINGLE MOM SCHOLARS APPLICATION PORTAL OPENS MARCH 2

Single Mom Scholars (SMS) at Interfaith Community Services seeks to break the cycle of poverty through its two-generation approach. Through support and wrap-around services, SMS empowers low-income single moms to earn a college degree while simultaneously working with their children to gain social capital, build leadership skills, and improve academic performance.

HOW WE HELP

• Peer Support and Community Building

• Financial Assistance in the form of a Monthly Stipend

• Life Skills and Financial Literacy Education

Life Coaching

• Professional and Personal Development

The application portal opens March 2nd at icstucson.org

QUESTIONS

Contact: singlemomscholarsinfo@icstucson.

Top: Single Mom Scholars Graduates pose with completion certificates.

Middle: Single mom scholar and daughter at December graduation

Bottom: All current Single Mom Scholars.

VOLUNTEERING AT ICS

Volunteers Make It Happen!

Volunteers come from diverse backgrounds, traditions, and life experiences, all united by a commitment to our community and a desire to share kindness and compassion with others. We are grateful to our over 700 volunteers for the time and care they take to serve those in need.

Currently, ICS offers more than 50 different volunteer roles. Volunteer opportunities vary in time commitment and scope, and whether you can give a few hours or ongoing support, your time helps strengthen our community.

SENIOR SERVICES

ICS offers services in three (3) areas that greatly benefit and help older and disabled adults live independently in their own homes without the need for institutional care.

EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE

ICS assists individuals and families with food, emergency financial assistance for housing, utilities, and other living necessities, along with short-term case management.

LIFE ADVANCEMENT

ICS programs link together to offer more than short-term help; we work with clients to build long-range solutions that promote sustainability.

TAX CREDIT

Gifts of Love Thanks

YOUR STATE TAX DOLLARS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The Arizona Charitable Tax Credit lets you choose where some of your taxes go. Your donation to ICS reduces dollar for dollar what you’ll pay later in AZ state income tax for 2025, up to $987 for couples or $495 for head of household/single filers.

Here’s how:

1. Donate to ICS by April 15, 2026.

2. That amount is credited to you when you file Arizona Form 321 with your 2025 return.

3. You can also donate to schools and QFCOs— those are separate credits!

Thank you to everyone who contributed to this year's Gifts of Love program. Your generosity in giving time, treasure, and effort has been deeply appreciated. We would like to share a few thank-you notes from those who benefited from this year's program.

Patricia wrote, "I just recieved my Christmas gifts and I am overwhelmed! I am trying not cry. I really needed toilet paper and toothpaste to help me get through the holidays. I haven't received gifts like these in years. Thank you for the brushes, pens, water colors, batteries and more. I am so grateful. Thank you so much!"

Melinda shared how much she, "Loved everything. It was so beautiful!"

Representatives from Omni Tucson National dropping off gifts.

IMPACT STORIES

Northwest Food Bank

First-Time Client (via Google)

"Never been so stressed in my life. Felt uncomfortable at first to have to show up at a food bank. After meeting Steven and some volunteers, things got easier. The volunteers were so nice to my daughter and got her some snacks while we were waiting. Steven came over and gave her some crayons and a coloring book. He also helped me with some household cleaning items and toothpaste. The food was just enough to get through until payday. Thank you to everyone that helped me!"

Workforce Development

Career Change

Paul’s job search began in August, when work at the local mines had slowed. Rather than waiting for opportunities to return, he saw this as a chance to change careers. He was looking for a position that would allow him to stay in Tucson, instead of traveling out of state for mining work. Paul brought experience in industrial mechanics, construction, fiber optics, and audio/visual systems.

Paul was able to land a job with Integrated Audio Visual Solutions. Paul said of his experience, "I’ve been trying to keep my head above water, and you guys really helped me."

Single Mom Scholars Youth Enrichment support (YES)

"I am grateful for the opportunity that Single Mom Scholars have provided my son and I. The YES funds allowed my son to participate in soccer while I was in the SMS program. This allowed us to spend time together while also giving my son an outlet while I was busy with school. – Larissa