Community Service

"Supper Bowl 2008” Food Drive Helps Feed More than 78,409 Families in Light of Super Bowl XLII

Global Spectrum, managers of University of Phoenix Stadium, and St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance are proud to announce that Supper Bowl 2008 was a success. Supper Bowl 2008, launched in October 2007, is a community outreach initiative to raise 63,400 meals for St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance. Completed last week, a total of 78,409 meals were donated to the Food Bank through the effort. Donations will be used to create Emergency Food Boxes, a three day supply of food designed to meet immediate needs of a family or individual during a time of crisis.

Global Spectrum, operators of University of Phoenix Stadium, plans to continue its community outreach by supporting the Food Bank in the future.  “Global Spectrum and our stadium partners are extremely happy that the Supper Bowl food drive was able to make such a huge difference to those that are less fortunate,” said Global Spectrum general manager Peter C. Sullivan.  “We look forward to working with St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance on future projects benefiting our community.”

Non-perishable food items and monetary donations were collected at several events beginning October 21, 2007, including the Phoenix Bridal Show, AIA High School Football Championship, World of Wheels, Shamrock Foods Show, and on game days.  Individuals attending public events were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to Supper Bowl 2008. Staff and stadium partners also showed tremendous support, essential to the successful completion of the project.

ST. MARY’S FOOD BANK ALLIANCE:  St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance, the world’s first food bank, is a non-sectarian, nonprofit organization that alleviates hunger by efficiently gathering and distributing food to 675 sites that serve the hungry.  Serving 13 of Arizona’s 15 counties, the organization is committed to volunteerism, building community relationships, and improving the quality of life for Arizonans in need. During Fiscal Year 2006-2007, the Food Bank distributed 51.5 million pounds of food to families and individuals, provided enough food for 200,000 meals every day, and garnered more than 230,000 volunteer service hours. Web site: www.FirstFoodBank.org, Phone: 602-352-3640.