Contact: Craig Chastain, Luis Palau Association, 503-939-5535
PHOENIX, Nov. 23, 2010 /Christian Newswire/ -- More than 5200 volunteers from the Phoenix area's faith community turned out this past weekend for an "impact day" against hunger. United under the banner of the Season of Service, a nationally recognized initiative by the Luis Palau Association, churches and individuals participated in 25 projects throughout the valley that focused on gathering and distributing food on a global and regional scale.
In partnership with both local food pantries and international organizations such as Feed My Starving Children, volunteers assembled tens of thousands of pre-packaged meals and food boxes that will go to nutritionally challenged children and families in Arizona and overseas. A number of local churches opened their doors to local residents for free meals and picnic activities, while other congregations cleaned, painted and landscaped in some of the city's most distressed neighborhoods.
In the community of El Mirage, local businesses united with 9 churches of diverse denominations to serve and distribute food to more than 600 families. The city's mayor and other city officials pitched in to help. At a Phoenix high school, where a third of the students are on food assistance programs, the food pantry was restocked to overflowing.
"In my many years of ministry I've never seen such a focused outpouring of love and service," said Season of Service director Billy Thrall. "To see so many people across denominations -- Baptists and Lutherans, Methodists and Presbyterians -- going out into neighborhoods to be the hands and feet of Jesus was inspiring."
Local leaders including former NFL quarterback Kurt Warner, Marketplace One CEO Bret Edson, and businessman Jerry Colangelo have joined with the Palau ministry to help coordinate months of public service activity focusing on specific needs including hunger, family well-being, health and wellness, education, homelessness and neighborhood revitalization. On March 19 and 20, 2011, a two-day free festival called Arizona CityFest with Luis Palau will be staged at Tempe Lake Park to celebrate the contribution of tens of thousands of Season of Service volunteers.
Churches and agencies with existing projects, as well as groups and individuals interested in serving on community projects, are urged to visit the Season of Service website at www.arizonacityfest.com/season_of_service or call the Arizona CityFest office at 602-385-0766.
