About
St. Mary's Food Bank, based in Phoenix, Arizona, is widely recognized as the world's first food bank. Founded in 1967 by John van Hengel, the organization pioneered the food banking model that has since spread around the globe, and today it distributes food to millions of Arizona neighbors annually through a statewide network of partner agencies and direct programs.
Mission
St. Mary's describes its mission as "bridging the gap for Arizona communities with nourishment for today and hope for tomorrow."
What they do
- Food distribution through a network of more than 600 nonprofit partner agencies across Arizona
- Mobile distributions and home delivery of food boxes
- Senior nutrition programs
- Children's afterschool feeding programs
- Workforce development and job training through its Skills Center
The organization states that it converts every $1 donated into 5 meals and serves communities across hundreds of square miles of Arizona.
History
John van Hengel conceived the food bank concept while volunteering at a Phoenix soup kitchen, after meeting a mother who relied on discarded food from grocery store dumpsters to feed her children. With $3,000 and an abandoned building provided by St. Mary's Basilica, he launched St. Mary's Food Bank in 1967 as the world's first food bank. Van Hengel went on to found America's Second Harvest (now Feeding America) and the Global FoodBanking Network, and is remembered as "the father of food banking." The IRS granted the organization tax-exempt status in 1974 under the legal name St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance (EIN 23-7353532).
Scale and impact
According to the organization, St. Mary's distributes food to millions of Arizonans each year, operates one of the largest hunger-relief networks in the state through 600+ nonprofit partners, and is the largest Phoenix-area nonprofit for service assistance. It reports a Four-Star rating from Charity Navigator and inclusion in Forbes' list of America's Top 100 Charities.
Financials
Per ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (IRS Form 990 data), St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance reported revenue of $260.1 million and expenses of $255.3 million in the fiscal year ending June 2025. In the prior fiscal year ending June 2024, revenue was $248.7 million against $272.4 million in expenses, and in fiscal year 2023 revenue was $231.6 million with $220.4 million in expenses. Much of the food bank's revenue reflects the value of donated food.
Governance
The organization is led by President and CEO Milt Liu, supported by a senior leadership team that includes a Chief Programs Officer, Chief Development Officer, Chief Operations Officer, and Chief People Officer. St. Mary's Food Bank Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit headquartered at 2831 N. 31st Avenue, Phoenix, Arizona.