Happy Saturday!

I’m jumping into your inbox today to talk about giving back this holiday season.

Volunteering or donating is a win-win: It feels good and boosts mental health, while also making a positive difference in other people’s lives.

I hope you enjoy this edition and feel inspired to lend a hand before the year ends!

What are you doing to give back this year? Let me know!

The Copper Courier team volunteering at Feed My Starving Children. Back, left to right: Robert Gundran, Jessica Swarner, Belen Villegas. Front, left to right: Alyssa Bickle, Sahara Sajjadi. (Sahara Sajjadi/The Copper Courier)

The Copper Courier team wanted to give back together this holiday season, so we participated in a packing session at Feed My Starving Children in Tempe. 

I volunteered at this place back in college when it was located in Mesa, and I remember enjoying the experience. The charity, which sends nutritious meals to children in need, is very organized and efficient in its volunteer efforts. 

After a short presentation that explains the mission, workers divide volunteers into groups. We were tasked with packing MannaPacks, which are bags of food that include rice, soy, and vegetables. 

Each person takes on one specific job—for example, scooping rice, weighing bags, or packing boxes. That may sound boring, but I like that it lets you turn off your brain, get into a flow, and chat with the other volunteers at your table as you pack. 

At the end of our session, workers told us that our total group of over 200 volunteers packed 238 boxes filled with 51,408 meals, a $14,908 value. Our output was enough to feed 141 kids daily for a year. 

Our team had a great time volunteering together, and I highly recommend signing up for a packing session, especially as a group activity! 

Over the next two weeks, we’re working to raise $4,500 by Dec. 16, so we can enter the 2026 election year fully resourced. We want to be ready to serve our community with the kind of journalism you expect from us.

And as we head toward a pivotal election year, that work has never been more urgent. Every contribution, large or small, moves us closer to our goal and strengthens our ability to serve you in 2026. Thank you!

Whether it’s providing care for animals or aiding the elderly, there are organizations you can donate your time to across the state. (Getty Images/Unsplash)

By Haley Van Horn

When you are excited and ready to volunteer, it can be overwhelming to narrow down your venture. First, it’s important to hone in on the issue you want to help with. Whether it’s providing care for animals or aiding the elderly, there are organizations you can donate your time to across the state.

If this is something you are seeking to do, these are the best places to spend your time across the state of Arizona, broken down by issue.

Those who are facing homelessness 

If you are located in the central part of the state, donating your time to Central Arizona Shelter Services, or CASS, is the perfect way to help those experiencing homelessness. They are the largest shelter operating to provide a safe space for single individuals to stay. CASS offers emergency sheltering and has lawyers on hand to aid in case management and provide legal advice.

There are many ways you can get involved with CASS. One way is by hosting a drive for clothing and food donations. The other option is serving meals on-site. The shelter offers volunteer opportunities that fit your schedule. Their services are offered in Phoenix, and you can learn about the program here.

Fill hearts and bellies this holiday season by volunteering at a local food bank. (Pablo Merchán Montes/Unsplash)

By Trinity Murchie

The holidays are a time for gathering with loved ones over feasts, often marked by full hearts and bellies.

Unfortunately, this romanticized view of the holidays is not the reality for many, especially those struggling to make ends meet. Even before the government shutdown and the unfortunate withholding of food benefits, hunger is an ongoing threat for many in Phoenix.

Thankfully, there are several food banks and food pantries available to help those in need. If you are interested in counting your blessings through acts of service, there are many food banks around Phoenix where you can donate your time, food, or money. After all, ’tis the season of giving.

Mom’s Pantry 

13440 N. Cave Creek Road

Mom’s Pantry is a nonprofit with a vision to eradicate food uncertainty. Offering food to those affected by ongoing food insecurity, this pantry makes it easy to donate. Open for donations on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., the pantry is currently seeking donations in the form of mac and cheese, cereal, pasta, toilet paper, pasta sauce, canned veggies, canned tuna/chicken, and soup/ramen. There are also monthly partnerships that can help fund the mission and provide a tax credit for the giver.

Shopping locally is the best way to give a unique gift while supporting your local economy. (Shutterstock)

By Trinity Murchie

In a world where everyone seems to have what they need and more, sometimes choosing the perfect gift can be the biggest challenge.

Shopping locally is the best way to give a unique gift while supporting your local economy—which is one of the simplest ways we can fight the inflation of mega corporations!

Maybe, just maybe, your creative gifting skills are running low. If that is the case, let us take some of the stress out of it for you with these ideas:

One-stop shops

These stores and websites rep everything Arizona and offer various gifts for your friends, neighbors, or family members. It doesn’t even matter if they live in Arizona or not, as gifting an Arizona treat to an out-of-stater can remind them of your thoughtful and loving self all year long. I certainly love to give Arizona goods to my family across the country!

Earthwild

Located in downtown Chandler, Earthwild, formerly called Blue Planet, has all things Arizona, from desert-themed items to local brands to prickly pear candies and more. Prices range from very little–under $5–to the higher end. It is perfect for finding a stand-alone gift or even a stocking stuffer!

Arizona Gifts

This online shop has something for everyone. How is that possible? Check it out, and you will see tasty treats, home decor, keychains, pre-made gift baskets, sun care, souvenirs, and more. Most items here have a minimum order, though, so this is perfect if you want to give gifts to coworkers or several family members, or just have a few things on hand to offer throughout the year.

Do you want to support The Copper Courier’s mission while showcasing your products or services to an engaged audience of 200,000+ subscribers?

Email advertise@couriernewsroom.com for more information.

Thanks for reading. This newsletter was written by Jessica Swarner with stories from Jessica Swarner, Haley Van Horn, Trinity Murchie, and Maura Derr. It was edited by Paula Solis.

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