Marilee Jensen
The Tri-Community Food Bank (TCFB) was opened in 1980/81 and founded by Jean Peterson and Beverly Pyritz. It was originally located in one room in the Pinal County Building in Mammoth and included a small thrift shop. Funding came from local grocery stores, resident donations, and the thrift shop. Later, the food bank along with a thrift store moved to a new location in Mammoth.
The United Way of Pinal County was the first larger funding source for the TCFB. In 1997, funding of food started with The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) through the United Food Bank of Mesa. In 1998, the first SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO) Food Drive was held. The SBCO Food Drive continues to be held each year and is a major food and monetary funding source for the TCFB.
Cynthia Chevalley became chairperson of the TCFB in 2005. During her leadership, the leaky roof and heating and cooling system were updated. In 2008, Cynthia coordinated with the town of Mammoth and Pinal County Supervisor Lionel Ruiz to develop a grant to renovate the Redwood Inn Restaurant. The county eventually purchased the restaurant in an auction. In 2010, TCFB moved into the renovated building for a nominal yearly rent paid to Pinal County.
Cynthia shepherded the TCFB through many notable periods of growth and improvements. These included the installation of an outdoor cooler (2013) and freezer (2021), the purchase of a van (2019), and the COVID epidemic, during which time the TCFB remained open except for the thrift store which closed permanently. Cynthia served as chairperson until she retired in 2021.
With the retirement of Cynthia, an Executive Board was established to oversee the operations of the TCFB. In 2022, a new warehouse was constructed behind the main food bank building, replacing the former storage space located on Main Street in Mammoth. In 2023, the food bank lobby was updated, a new cooler added, and a new Mission statement “Feeding Neighbors in SE Pinal County” was adopted. In 2024, an additional freezer was installed to accommodate the increase in the number of TCFB clients.
The Tri-Community Food Bank is an all-volunteer organization, spending zero funds on administration costs, serving the communities of Oracle, San Manuel, Mammoth, Dudleyville, and Aravaipa. TCFB is located at 108 W Redwood Drive, in Mammoth, and is open five days a week (Monday to Thursday and Saturday) from 9 a.m. to noon. TCFB is an IRS 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation and an Arizona Qualifying Charitable Organization # 20463.
To contact the TCFB or to volunteer, please call 520-487-2010 during business hours. The mailing address is P.O. Box 38, Mammoth, AZ 85618.