• Home
  • Need Food?
  • Volunteer
  • Partner Agencies
  • News
  • Careers
  • Contact
St Mary's Food Bank - Feeding AmericaSt Mary's Food Bank - Feeding America
  • Learn
    • Hunger in Arizona
    • How We Help
    • About Us
    • Financial Transparency
    • Life Stories
  • Ways to Give
    • Donate Money
    • Donate Food
    • Donate Time
    • More Ways to Give
  • Get Involved
    • Corporate Giving
    • Advocate
    • Job Training
    • Get Involved
  • Events
  • Find Help
  • Learn
    • Hunger in Arizona
    • How We Help
    • About Us
    • Financial Transparency
    • Life Stories
  • Ways to Give
    • Donate Money
    • Donate Food
    • Donate Time
    • More Ways to Give
  • Get Involved
    • Corporate Giving
    • Advocate
    • Job Training
    • Get Involved
  • Events
  • Find Help
DONATE
✕
Northern Arizona food pantry works with St. Mary’s to provide hope
Providing Hope
July 13, 2021
Community Kitchen Gave James a Second Chance
A Second Chance
July 13, 2021

Food Recipient, Now a Donor

Published by St. Mary's on July 13, 2021
Categories
  • Meet Your Grateful Neighbors
Tags
  • life stories
Once an emergency food recipient, now a donor

Once an emergency food recipient, now a donor

When Stacy Santelli was 19 years old, she was a single mom with two children and no college degree. She struggled to find employment and found herself working three to four jobs while going to school. During her time of need, she turned to St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance.

“I felt ashamed of myself, not being able to provide for my children,” she admitted. “But when I went to the Food Bank, I was greeted with smiles and they didn’t think twice about helping me.”

Stacy is now 35 and married with three children. She has her bachelor’s degree and is in school and on track to receive a masters of business administration degree. While working full time in project management, she started a business and a foundation with her husband.

But she hasn’t forgotten her past. Her company, Future Stars International Enterprises, held a food drive with St. Mary’s recently to give back to the organization she had once turned to in need.

“Having an organization such as this is so necessary,” she said. “You were there for me when I really needed help. I’ll never forget the feelings of not having food in your pantry or to feed your children. With that small act of kindness it changed my life, that moment and I am able today to pay those same blessings forward.”

Share
1
St. Mary's

Related posts

April 21, 2022

Keeping My Grandson Fed


Read more
April 21, 2022

“St. Mary’s Makes Life Easier.”


Read more
April 13, 2022

Volunteer Spotlight – Daniel


Read more

The Latest

  • fooddrivebox
    More People Need Help From Food Banks As Prices Rise
    May 18, 2022
  • It’s a good thing to do
    May 9, 2022
  • “St Mary’s is the gold standard in Arizona.”
    May 9, 2022
  • A great time was had by all, including myself
    May 9, 2022

Receive Exclusive Updates & Special Opportunities to Get Involved.


GET UPDATES

About St. Mary’s Food Bank

St. Mary’s Food Bank exists to help feed hungry families throughout Phoenix and nine Arizona counties. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit entity. All gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

  Our Mission     Financial Info     Contact  

Join Our Community

Meet compassionate people like yourself.

Feeding America Logo

© 2021 St. Mary's Food Bank     2831 N. 31st Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85009   (602) 242-FOOD (3663)

  • Contact
  • Events
  • Careers
  • Partner Agencies
  • Privacy Policy
  • Tax ID 23-7353532
DONATE
  • Home
  • Need Food?
  • Volunteer
  • Partner Agencies
  • News
  • Careers
  • Contact