Around The Cracker Barrel - The Hunger Walk: Steps Toward a Hunger-Free Tomorrow with Monica Gonzalez and Chris Firmage (Aired 09/19/2025)

This week on Around the Cracker Barrel, host Guy Atchley welcomes Monica Gonzalez, Associate Director of Resource Centers for Amado, Green Valley, and Nogales, and Chris Firmage, Public Relations Manager for the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Together, they share insights on the vital role the food bank plays in serving southern Arizona communities and the challenges of meeting growing food insecurity. Monica reflects on her nine years of service, including her first year in her current role, and explains how the Green Valley Food Bank has evolved into a “resource center” to help families not only with food but also with SNAP, utility assistance, and other community services.Listeners learn about the scale of the operation—serving 650 to 780 households monthly in Green Valley alone—as well as the history of the food bank, which began in 1978 through the efforts of the Green Valley Community Church. Chris highlights the increase in need across southern Arizona, with half of those served being seniors or children, and shares how partnerships with local farmers, grocers, and volunteers keep nutritious food like produce, dairy, and pantry staples available to families.The conversation also previews the upcoming Hunger Walk on Saturday, September 27, taking place simultaneously at Historic Canoa Ranch in Green Valley and Sam Lena Park in Tucson. The annual event is not only one of the food bank’s biggest fundraisers but also a chance to raise awareness about food insecurity. In Green Valley, walkers (and their pets) can enjoy scenic trails, refreshments, and Zumba warm-ups, while Tucson participants will tour the food bank’s garden and warehouse. Both events start at 8:00 a.m., with registration at 7:30 a.m.Throughout the program, Monica and Chris emphasize the generosity of the community, the importance of volunteers, and the mission of building a healthy, hunger-free tomorrow. They encourage everyone to register, donate, or participate—whether in person or virtually—through communityfoodbank.org/hungerwalk.