The FruitGuys Helps UMOM Reduce Hunger and Homelessness

Each week, considered one of The FruitGuys’ fruit donations for starvation aid arrives at United Methodist Outreach Ministries New Day Facilities (UMOM) in Phoenix, Arizona. 
One donation is likely to be bruised apples. One other week, the UMOM group might unbox scarred however tasty oranges, or pears which are too smooth to ship however nonetheless candy to eat. No matter’s inside, it’s as much as Residential Eating Chef Jessica Altamirano and her group to rework it into grab-and-go meals for tons of of hungry shelter residents. 
Alain making ready pineapple at UMOM
From ‘Donated’ to ‘Scrumptious’ 
“Breakfast is often after we use the fruit,” UMOM’s Director of Culinary Enterprises, Edwin Jimenez, informed The FruitGuys. “… Kids going to high school are often those who seize these meals, so we course of the fruit into one thing like a fruit cup.” 
Youngsters want nutritious breakfasts to energy them by way of the varsity day, so the UMOM group provides fruit for its fiber, nutritional vitamins, and pure sweetness. Later within the day, residents may discover donated fruit sliced over a salad as a facet dish at lunch or baked into banana bread for dessert. 
“[The chefs] should not solely gifted however actually care and get inventive,” Edwin mentioned. 
Serving Girls and Households in Want
UMOM is the biggest shelter in Maricopa County for households and single girls experiencing homelessness. On any given day, its packages assist almost 700 individuals. The nonprofit provides 19 meals per week: breakfast, lunch, and dinner Monday by way of Friday, and brunch and dinner on the weekends. 
“We strongly consider all people deserves the dignity of a heat, nutritious, scrumptious meal,” Edwin mentioned. 
A lovely Thanksgiving charcuterie board put collectively by UMOM’s residential eating group
The in-house residential eating program is a key a part of UMOM’s operations, however the nonprofit additionally gives a number of different companies to assist its residents, who UMOM workers name “purchasers.” UMOM provides case administration, an in-house clinic, entry to reasonably priced housing, pet care in partnership with The Arizona Pet Undertaking, and a workforce middle to assist with job coaching. 
Inspiring the Subsequent Era of Cooks
Purchasers involved in meals service can enter a six-week culinary coaching program, which incorporates working shifts on the shelter’s public-facing restaurant, Helpings Café and Catering. From there, they could go on to work for considered one of UMOM’s dozens of employer companions, together with Starbucks, MOD Pizza, and The Cheesecake Manufacturing facility. The income generated at Helpings funds UMOM’s different packages. 
“We consider jobs plus housing will finish homelessness and stop it from recurring, which is the primary aim we now have right here at UMOM,” Edwin mentioned. 
UMOM’s six-week culinary coaching program in motion
A Fruitful Partnership
The FruitGuys has supported UMOM with weekly fruit donations for starvation aid since 2014, delivering hundreds of kilos of fruit to the shelter yearly. We’re proud to contribute to its residential eating program and play a small half in its mission to resolve the issue of household homelessness.
Behind the scenes at Helpings Café and Catering
“All of us perceive that we don’t have the answer to all of it, however forming partnerships with individuals out there’s how we will attain our aim,” Edwin mentioned.
He added that the dimensions of the issue might be daunting, however when he feels overwhelmed, he likes to stroll the UMOM campus. Watching joyful youngsters play on the basketball courtroom, fueled by UMOM meals, at all times motivates him to maintain going.
Assist Help UMOM with Donate-a-Crate
Whether or not your workplace is closed for the vacations otherwise you’re merely feeling beneficiant, you’ll be able to “fruit it ahead” and donate considered one of your FruitGuys deliveries to UMOM or one other starvation aid group by way of our Donate-a-Crate Program. We’ll ship your order on to them, and your fruit and snacks will assist feed people in want. In 2023 alone, our superb purchasers fed 40,972 individuals by way of this program! Click on right here to study extra.



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