Our mission is simple:

In 1970 Betty Kahlor saw a need to start a program to help feed those less fortunate. She opened The Good Samaritan Association with intentions of feeding individuals passing through the Kingman, Arizona area who were in need. The organization grew rapidly. Betty soon realized that the need was larger than she originally anticipated and opened The Kingman Area Food Bank. With extremely limited funds and resources, the operation started in an old storage shed. It then moved to a tin building where the wonderful volunteers froze during the winter and roasted during the summer. 

During 2005, she was able to raise enough funds to purchase the building where the current Food Bank is located today. Our records show that the Food Bank provided food to 15,000 individuals in that time frame. Using the same facility, the Food Bank served more than 30,100 individuals in 2015 - doubling the number served just three years prior. 

 In 2022 we served 3841 households, feeding 6881 people in a consistent monthly basis, which added up to the equivalent to 23,521 people in one year. We gave out 11,662 TEFAP boxes, and 600 holiday boxes which included a turkey or a ham plus the fixings.

The Kingman Area Food Bank is currently operating under the organizational wings of St. Mary's Food Bank in Phoenix Arizona.  

With the help of 40 - 50 volunteers, plus 30 - 40+ community service workers per month, we do everything from donation pick-ups, warehouse stocking, food sorting, bar coding, and distributing food out the store door and the warehouse door. Our day usually starts at 6 am when our group of volunteers and community service workers come in to start sorting and preparing the produce, breads and dry goods for distribution (when available). 

We currently distribute items like tuna, peanut butter, cereal, canned vegetables, dry beans, rice, pasta, spaghetti sauce, margarine, milk, cheese, breads, pastries and meat. The recipient can also select various beverages, breads, dry goods, animal food (when available), paper products, and personal hygiene products (when available). We also distribute food to many local churches and charitable organizations. 

Betty's legacy lives on. Our leadership team monitors the day to day operations and ensure that all the local businesses and donors know how much we appreciate them and their generosity.