PEACH’S PANTRY INTRODUCES “PEACH’S YOUTH LEADERSHIP FUND”

PRESS RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PEACH’S PANTRY INTRODUCES “PEACH’S YOUTH LEADERSHIP FUND”

SIERRA VISTA, AZ – (February 13, 2024) – Peach’s Pantry has been feeding the children in southwest Cochise County for 10 years, now they are starting a program to feed their hearts and minds as well. The Peach’s Youth Leadership Fund is a new initiative developed in partnership with Sierra Vista City Councilman Mark Rodriguez to raise funds for the development of youth leaders and to provide opportunities to engage youth in service to their communities.

The effort started when Sierra Vista’s Youth Commission started to run into red tape when trying to accomplish the projects and ideas they had generated.

Councilman Rodriguez said, “Although we have had many successful projects thus far, we have fallen victim to red tape and processes that move at the speed of the Government. Nevertheless we are making it happen with what we have. We have had to find a way to keep our momentum moving without monetary support from the City and partnership with Peach’s Pantry will enable us to move forward.”

Sarah Pacheco, Peach’s Pantry Founder and Executive Director, said, “we have always been passionate about feeding the children of our community, and are excited at this opportunity to work with youth to grow community leaders as well.”

The first real need that the group wanted to raise funds for was to send youth commissioners to the National League of Cities conference in Washington D.C. The youth leaders would get to participate in youth delegate workshops and training as well as take a visit to Capital Hill and the White House.

Councilman Rodriguez said, “The workshops, meetings with our legislators, and the sights they will see and experience will no doubt leave a lasting impression on the youth. They will return to our area with broadened perspectives, which will not only assist them with their endeavors while they are here locally, but in their futures as well.”

The group has many dreams of projects and efforts that they’d like to see happen in order to grow youth leadership and to provide opportunities for disadvantaged youth in the area.

Pacheco said, “I’m excited to see how we can grow the next generation with this fund. We want to empower the voices of the youth in our community and bring their concerns and perspectives to the forefront of local causes and decisions that directly affect them.”

Donations and support to the Peach’s Youth Leadership Fund can be made online at peachspantry.org/donate-now/ or by check to Peach’s Pantry, PO Box 4174 Sierra Vista, AZ 85636 with the designation of “Peach’s Youth Leadership Fund” in the memo. Peach’s Pantry is a 501(c)3 charity.

ABOUT PEACH’S PANTRY

Peach’s Pantry began providing food bags with weekend meals to school children in 2013. At the time, several teachers, counselors, and other school personnel had been buying food out of their pocket and sending it home with students in need. Peach’s Pantry took on the mission to provide food on  weekends to kids in Cochise County. What began at 1 school serving 11 children has now grown to a robust program serving 25 schools and nonprofit partners in the area and over 400 children weekly. Peach’s Pantry is a 501(c)3 charity and is entirely community supported and volunteer-run. To learn more or to make a donation, please visit peachspantry.org.