our history
1981
The Grand Canyon Presbytery of the Presbyterian Church, USA began the Ministry to the Rural Poor. Carlos Gutierrez began a very small scale Food-For-The-Needy operation out of personal vehicles. This initial mission effort focused its work in the Goodyear-Avondale area distributing food to refugees, migrant workers, the homeless, and the poor. An old Luke AFB War World II barracks building on 2nd & Harrison St. became a permanent location for food bank operations. A clothing store was soon added and the facility became known as the Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank.
1996
Maricopa County offered AFFCB the use of a larger and more modern building. This building at 405 E. Harrison Dr. in Avondale remains today as the current location for the Food and Clothing Bank. Also in 1996, AFFCB entered into an informal partnership with the Westside Food Bank, which permitted Agua Fria to receive a wider selection of government and donated food items.
1997
The Grand Canyon Presbytery called Reverend Renato Alvarez, an ordained Presbyterian Pastor, as the full time director of the AFFCB. Programs and services for those in need soon expanded into worship communities among Latinos, pastoral care for families, showers for the homeless, food and baby care items for infants, Thanksgiving and Christmas food packages, and school uniforms.
2005
As the operation increased its scope of service and activities, AFFCB incorporated as a Non-profit 501(c)3.
2009
A second Food and Clothing Bank location is opened in Tonopah, Arizona. Thus expanding its services into Tonopah Valley, which is a rural area of more than 6,000 people.
2014
The Board of Directors appointed Anthony Amezquita as an Interim Director at the Food Bank.
2015
Leanne Leonard is hired full time as the Executive Director of the Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank, by the Board of Directors.
2016
William Concentine is hired as the first part-time Operations Manager for AFFCB.
2017
AFFCB is accepted as an approved AZ Charitable Tax Credit Organization and joins the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce.
2018
AFFCB Tonopah location closes for remodeling.
2019
May 18th AFFCB holds it's first ever fundraising event Strike Out Hunger. $23,000 was raised to help purchase new vehicles and a fun time was had by all in attendance at D-Bat Avondale.
June 1st AFFCB's Tonopah location was reopened after receiving a new roof, all new windows, new siding, central heat and a/c, a new computer, and free wifi.
June 14th AFFCB was honored to receive the Community Impact Award from the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce.
In June AFFCB purchased a new refrigerated van and in November they purchased a new refrigerated box truck with a liftgate.
2020
March the AFFCB Avondale clothing bank closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In August AFFCB purchased and installed a brand new walk-in freezer.
2021
June of 2021 AFFCB Avondale closed it's lobby for expansion and remodel. Services continued outside in the parking lot in a drive-thru format.
2022
January 1st the AFFCB Tonopah location closed permanently.
On May 4th the newly remodeled and expanded AFFCB Avondale lobby reopened and began providing showers again.
2023
After being closed for over 2 years AFFCB was finally able to reopen the clothing bank 2 days a week.
Our Board of Directors
Christina Siwek
President
Taneka Smith
Vice President
Karen McLaughlin
Treasurer
Heather Champion
Secretary
Amapola Judd-Shimp
Jessica Martinez
Bobbie Mastracci
John Aycock
Danielle Brown
Tiffani Hamstra
Vicki Campos
Our Staff
Leanne Leonard; BA, MS
Executive Director
AFFCB Affiliations
