Teen Volunteer Brings “Epic” Efforts

Samantha Lee has been volunteering at the Food Bank with her family since she was seven years old. She’s now a sophomore at American Leadership Academy – Ironwood School in Queen Creek. And still she takes the time and initiative to do what she can to help with our mission.

In 2019, she partnered with her then school, LTS-QC, to adopt the project of the Annual Epic Canned Food Drive. In her first year directing the project she raised over 11,000 pounds of food, and during the height of COVID raised over 6,000 pounds. Sam says, “The school [LTS-QC] is fantastic. Every year my mind is blown when 7 watermelon bins overflow with donations after only two weeks.” This year, the food drive will be held in memory of Mr. Patrick Grady, former principal of LTS-QC and assistant Superintendent of the Legacy Traditional School District.

Food Bank Executive Director Myra Garcia sees Sam as a “great inspiration and role model for young people. You can never be too young to develop a sense of community spirit and do your share to help the less fortunate. We encourage teens to check out the volunteer opportunities

available at our Food Bank. We welcome their energy and enthusiasm and encourage them to think of us when developing community service projects on behalf of their schools and clubs. I’m all ears to any ideas they bring to us.”