This summer, thousands of Arizona kids and their families will worry about where their next meal is coming from as hunger does not take a summer vacation. In response, United Food Bank is proud to announce the return of its sixth annual Summer of a Million Meals fundraiser campaign in partnership with 12News to assist families in need by raising a million meals. The campaign officially began on May 29 and will run through Sept. 4.

With children out of school for summer break, they are not able to receive their free, school-provided breakfast and lunch each day, creating a higher demand for food for families in need. Summer is often the time when food banks across the nation run low on food as well.

“The Summer of a Million Meals campaign is one of our most important fundraisers and we are thrilled to continue our efforts with 12News,” said Jason Reed, the president and CEO of United Food Bank. “Food insecurity is a year-round problem in Arizona, but the need increases over the summer months with children on break from school. We want to make sure every family has access to the meals they need and would appreciate every cent you can donate to make this happen.”

Throughout the summer, United Food Bank will host three giving telethon events with local celebrity guests on June 22, July 20 and Aug. 24. Each day, the event will run from 5:30 to 7 a.m. and again from 4 to 7 p.m. Arizonans can call United Food Bank at 480-398-4499 those days to make a donation to this campaign. In addition, Arizonans also have the option to donate online at azmillionmeals.org or at any of the registers at Fry’s Food Stores or Meineke.

“12News is committed to making a positive impact on our community,” said President and General Manager of 12News, Kate Morris. “For five years we’ve been a proud partner of United Food Bank and the Summer of a Million Meals. Our hope is that together with our partners and our generous viewers we can come together as neighbors to create a summer of abundance for all.”

To learn more information about the Summer of a Million Meals campaign or to make a donation, please visit http://www.azmillionmeals.org.

About United Food Bank:

United Food Bank has provided hunger relief to people in the East Valley and eastern Arizona since 1983. As a Feeding America member food bank, the organization collects, acquires, stores, and distributes food to 150 partner agencies and programs throughout five counties. Each year, United Food Bank distributes over 21.6 million pounds of food equating to 49,000 meals a day. Its mission to unite communities and alleviate hunger is executed each day. For more information visit UnitedFoodBank.org to learn more about the mission and find ways you can help.

About 12News:

12News is the Phoenix NBC affiliate owned by TEGNA Inc. At 12News, we listen, we seek, and we solve for all Arizonans. We are committed to serving all local communities around the state. We advocate for our neighbors, affect positive change, and connect our broader community to solutions. Built on a legacy of trust, 12News serves more than 4.6 million people every month on air, on our 12News app, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, and 12News.com.