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Paz de Cristo Community Center announces the launch of Sole 2 Soul, a community-wide shoe drive partnering with East Valley-area churches throughout October to collect new shoes for people experiencing homelessness and low-income residents. The campaign addresses a vital need within the East Valley’s homeless population, where reliable footwear serves as essential transportation for job searches, medical appointments, and daily survival. Paz de Cristo’s clothing closet distributes shoes to hundreds of clients monthly, with demand consistently exceeding supply. “For someone experiencing homelessness, a quality pair of shoes represents far more than foot protection,” said Jackie Shelley, Executive Director at Paz de Cristo Community Center. “Shoes provide mobility, dignity, and access to opportunities that can help someone rebuild their life.” Churches across the East Valley will serve as collection hubs throughout October, with congregations encouraged to purchase new shoes from outlet stores, clearance sections, and discount retailers. The campaign specifically requests new footwear in all adult sizes and styles, including athletic shoes and work boots. The shoe drive targets distribution before winter weather arrives, ensuring recipients have adequate footwear during cooler months. Paz de Cristo’s clothing closet operates year-round, serving individuals and families working toward housing stability.

Research indicates that proper footwear significantly impacts employment opportunities and health outcomes for homeless individuals. Job interviews, work requirements, and medical appointments all depend on mobility that quality shoes provide. Participating churches will announce collection details to their congregations, with volunteers coordinating weekly pickups throughout October. The campaign utilizes social media outreach and community partnerships to maximize participation. Churches interested in participating can contact [email protected]. Community members can check with your local house of  worship to get involved or donate directly by visiting our wishlist at amazon.com/pdcs2s

        Jackie Shelley 424 W Broadway Rd Mesa, AZ 85210 Mail: [email protected] Office: 480-464-2370

The team from Burrito Express arrives at Paz de Cristo Community Center with fresh burritos and genuine smiles. This tradition reflects the restaurant’s core belief that giving back isn’t a marketing initiative—it’s simply who they are.

Founded by Angel Marin Sr., Burrito Express started as a family vision to serve authentic Mexican food with fast, friendly service while maintaining deep community roots. Today, his sons Angel Jr. and Mark continue this legacy, with even Angel’s grandson stepping into management. The multi-generational approach extends beyond business operations into their community commitment. “We are very ingrained in the community and attribute a lot of our success to the support of the community around us. As we’ve grown, we’ve felt the need to give back to the same people who helped us get to where we are today. We’re grateful to be able to give back to the community in so many ways. Burrito Express Fast and Fresh – recently launched in Circle K’s across the valley.

“We’re more than just a place to eat—we’re part of the neighborhood,” explains the philosophy that drives their support for organizations such as at Paz de Cristo. The restaurant focuses on bold flavors, quick service, and authentic connections with the communities they serve. At Paz de Cristo, Burrito Express volunteers prepare and distribute meals to community members who need them most. The evening represents their broader mission: show up, serve others, and give back with genuine care. Whether through nonprofit partnerships, youth sports sponsorships, or community events, Burrito Express demonstrates that supporting the neighborhoods that support them remains central to their identity. When they say they’re here for the homies, they mean it.

        Jackie Shelley 424 W Broadway Rd Mesa, AZ 85210 Mail: [email protected] Office: 480-464-2370

Every evening at 5:00 PM, people gather outside Paz de Cristo Community Center on West Broadway Road in Mesa where they know they will receive a hot, nutritious meal. More than 50,000 meals are provided each month, – 9,000 of which are prepared and served in the dining room, making it the only organization in the East Valley that serves a hot, nutritious dinner every single night of the year.

September marks Hunger Action Month, a nationwide effort to raise awareness about hunger in America and inspire action. One in seven Arizonans struggled with hunger last year, transforming what should be a basic human need into an impossible choice between food and other necessities like medicine or utilities. The people walking through Paz de Cristo Community Center’s doors represent the diverse face of hunger in Arizona. Veterans, seniors on fixed incomes, working families whose paychecks don’t stretch to cover both rent and groceries, and individuals experiencing homelessness all find nourishment and dignity at these tables. Last year, more than 12,250 unique individuals were served. Paz de Cristo Community Center operates with a clear mission: Feed, Clothe and Empower. Fresh clothing, hot showers, and haircuts restore dignity and prepare people for job interviews. The Empowerment Programs offer resume writing assistance, interview coaching, and one-on-one support for job seekers and access to technology and assistance in applying for SNAP benefits. Staff members help clients obtain birth certificates and state identification cards—essential documents that serve as gateways to employment, housing and stability. Maria, a grandmother caring for her disabled grandson, discovered Paz de Cristo Community Center when choosing between medication and groceries became a monthly reality. Through the food box program and evening meals, she could redirect her limited budget toward other essential needs. David, a veteran who lost his job, found not just meals but employment assistance that helped him secure stable work within three months.

This Hunger Action Month presents an opportunity for each of us to make a tangible difference. Volunteer opportunities include preparing and serving meals, sorting clothing donations, assisting with the shower program, facilitating life-skills classes or helping with the jobs program. Financial contributions allow Paz de Cristo Community Center to maintain its comprehensive services—every $10 donation provides 25 meals to families in need. Food donations help stock the emergency food boxes distributed daily. The organization welcomes professional volunteers who can share expertise in financial literacy, as well as resume writing, interview skills, or job search strategies. Local businesses can partner by providing employment opportunities for program participants or hosting food drives. This September, consider how you might contribute to this essential work. Whether through volunteering time, donating resources, or spreading awareness about hunger in our community, every action creates positive change. Together, we can ensure that nutritious food remains accessible to all our neighbors, allowing everyone the opportunity to thrive.

        Jackie Shelley 424 W Broadway Rd Mesa, AZ 85210 Mail: [email protected] Office: 480-464-2370

MESA, Arizona – After an extensive search, the Board of Directors at Paz de Cristo Community Center is pleased to announce they have hired Jackie Shelley as the new Executive Director. With more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership and management experience in the Phoenix East Valley, Jackie will lead the organization as it innovates to expand its services to meet the growing needs of our community. Paz de Cristo’s Director of Food Services, John Farley says, “We are thrilled to welcome Jackie Shelley as the new Executive Director at Paz de Cristo. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and will surely help our organization grow to new heights all while continuing to feed, clothe and empower those in need in the East Valley.” Jackie’s professional experience includes fundraising and development, marketing, relationship building, grant writing, volunteer management, food bank operations, and community engagement. These experiences position her well to grow Paz de Cristo’s reputation and connections in the community. “Nonprofit management is a vocation – a calling, if you will – and I feel called to be the servant-leader who can build on the solid foundation that has been laid by those who came before and grow our reputation in the community as a leader in feeding, clothing, and empowering those in need,” says Shelley whose first day in her new role was Monday, April 18th, 2022. About Paz de Cristo: Paz de Cristo Community Center 424 W. Broadway Road Mesa, AZ 85210 480.464-2370 www.pazdecristo.org Since 1988, Paz de Cristo has been a place of peace and hope for people struggling with hunger, poverty and homelessness. Last year, we served more than 13,000 men, women, children, veterans, and seniors with a wide range of supportive services from a hot meal every evening to food boxes, showers, clothing, job search assistance, bus passes, Arizona identification, mail service and much more. Generous donors and volunteers fuel our mission to Feed, Clothe and Empower the homeless and working poor in the Phoenix East Valley. Find out more about us at pazdecristo.org. Media contact: Jackie Shelley [email protected] 480-464-2370

Responding to COVID-19

As we work through this pandemic together, rest assured that Paz de Cristo continues to feed hungry neighbors in need. Thanks to incredibly caring volunteers and generous donors, we are standing on the front line. In fact, we’ve been providing dinner every night for more than 33 years, and we haven’t missed a meal yet. Hunger is satisfied and hearts are full at Paz de Cristo. Here’s how we are pressing on.  

How We Help

A hot, nourishing meal is served every night of the year, and food boxes are provided every weekday at Paz de Cristo. A hot shower and clean clothing give our guests a fresh start. Basic needs for food, water and hygiene are met first. Personal, one-on-one assistance finding shelter, landing a new job and getting government-issued identification help people get back on their feet. We are More than a meal. We Feed, Clothe & Empower.

FEED

Nightly Meal

All guests are welcome to dine in or take a Grab n’ Go hot, nutritious meal to go each night of the year.

Emergency Food Boxes

Contact-free food boxes are offered on the first, second and third Tuesday of every month.

Food Boxes for Case Workers

Food boxes are provided every weekday to Case Workers who deliver them to their clients.  

CLOTHE

A hot shower and clean clothing give our guests a fresh start every Wednesday.  

EMPOWER

Personal, one-on-one assistance helps those in need

• • – find short-term shelter and permanent housing,
  • – secure benefits,
  • – find a job,
  • – get government-issued identification and
  • – receive medical attention from our Circle the City’s mobile medical clinic.
    This powerful intervention of food, clothing, shelter and jobs is helping end the cycle of poverty. Lives are changed every day at Paz de Cristo. Be inspired by real stories of victory.  

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Paz de Cristo Community Center is pleased to announce the grand opening of its newly-enclosed dining hall. Mesa Mayor John Giles shared remarks following a ribbon-cutting ceremony with the Mesa Chamber of Commerce. Nearly 200 people attending the event held on Saturday, December 7, 2019, at Paz de Cristo Community Center,    424 W Broadway Road, Mesa, Arizona. In December, construction was completed that enclosed the dining hall and installed air conditioning as well as heating. “By transforming our space, volunteers and guests will find relief from 120-degree summer days. Now we will be able to expand the hours of empowerment programs for people in need,” explained Executive Director Arlen Westling. “Last year, Paz de Cristo served more than 15,000 people struggling with hunger, poverty and homelessness,” Westling said. “We provided more than 600,000 meals to Veterans, senior citizens, working poor and people experiencing homelessness.” Construction on the new dining hall was made possible by grants from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust and the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community. A grant in the amount of $150,000 was given by the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. “We’re pleased to help Paz de Cristo serve clients in greater comfort, while providing a multi-purpose space where clients can access programs and services that lead to greater self-sufficiency,” said Senior Program Officer Laura McBride of Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. In addition, the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community gave grants totaling $136,750 to fund construction on the new dining hall along with upgrades to Paz de Cristo’s commercial kitchen and warehouse. “We are so grateful for the generous support of these two organizations,” Westling said. “Now we can provide food, programs and relief from the extreme summer heat.”

About Paz de Cristo

The mission of Paz de Cristo is to Feed, Clothe and Empower those in need in the Phoenix East Valley. The organization provides more than 50,000 meals each month and strives to relieve suffering while helping those in need improve their quality of life. Clean clothes, a hot shower and a haircut give people a fresh start. Paz de Cristo’s Jobs Program offers personal career coaching along with practical, one-on-one assistance writing resumes, searching for job openings and preparing for interviews. Computers with online access and printers are available in the Job Center. Staff members help people get Arizona identification, birth certificates and bus tickets effectively removing barriers so people can get ahead. This powerful intervention of food, clothing and jobs is helping end the cycle of poverty.

Construction at Paz de Cristo has begun and is expected to continue through November, 2019 . The new, enclosed space will soon be air conditioned. It will be used for dinner every night of the year as well as new programs during the day.

What Volunteers Need to Do

During construction, dinner will be served at St. Vincent de Paul which is located one mile from Paz de Cristo. Volunteering for the evening meal will look a little bit different while construction is underway. Volunteers for the Evening Meal service are reminded to – Sign up on the Volunteer Calendar or confirm with your group coordinator that you are scheduled to serve, – Plan to volunteer from 4 pm – 7:30 pm, – Go directly to St. Vincent de Paul, 67 W Broadway Rd (at Broadway & McDonald), Mesa, Arizona, 85210. St. Vincent de Paul is located one mile east of Paz de Cristo, – Carpool if possible as parking is limited, – Prepare fruit salad, vegetable salads, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches, bread & butter, deserts and drinks, – Serve the meal and help clean up. We are so grateful for you and very much appreciate your flexibility. Thanks to faithful volunteers like you, we have never missed an evening meal in more than more than thirty years. In fact, we all came together and adapted when the kitchen was closed due to the fire six years ago. We are confident that we can easily adapt now too. Construction is expected to continue into November, 2019. Please watch for ongoing updates. YOU make a real difference to people struggling with hunger, poverty and homelessness. We couldn’t serve dinner every night of the year without caring volunteers like you.

What Guests Need to Know

Changes to Services during Construction – Gates at Paz de Cristo close at 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. – Dinner will be served at St. Vincent de Paul which is located one mile east of Paz de Cristo. Go directly to St. Vincent de Paul, 67 W Broadway Rd (at Broadway & McDonald), Mesa, Arizona, 85210. St. Vincent de Paul will open for dinner each day at 4:30 pm. – The restrooms and water stations close at 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. – Personal mail can be picked up in the administrative office at Paz de Cristo from 11 am – 2 pm, Monday – Friday. – The Resource Center with Navigators from Marc Community Resources closes at 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. The last appointment begins at 4 pm each day. – These changes are in effect until construction is completed in November, 2019. All other services and programs will remain the same throughout construction. See a full schedule of services and programs.  

Corn, black beans and celery leaves with jalapeno peppers over a habanero base are just a few of the ingredients Chef John Farley of Paz de Cristo is considering for My Nana’s Salsa Challenge. Farley is no stranger to salsa, his recipe won second place in the Salsa Challenge last year. “I’ve got a couple of secret ingredients in mind too,” Farley said. “I’m going to use the hottest chilis in southwest that I can find.” He is testing flavors to create a original, mouthwatering combinations in three salsa categories: Hot, Mild and Anything Goes.

Hope to see you at Nana’s Salsa Challenge, Saturday, April 18. You’ll love the salsa!

Farley is a master of creativity in the kitchen. He set the winning record of 53 consecutive menus prepared without duplicating the main course even once. He begins each day with random ingredients in bulk and ends with a delicious meal for about 300 guests every night of the year.

Paz de Cristo helps people struggling with hunger, poverty and homelessness. More than 50,000 meals are provided each month, and it doesn’t stop there. Clean clothes, a hot shower and a haircut give guests a fresh start. People receive help finding jobs and removing barriers so they can get ahead. Thanks to caring volunteers and generous donors, Paz de Cristo is the only place where a hot, nutritious meal, a fresh start and a new job come together. Lives are changed every day at Paz de Cristo whose mission is to Feed, Clothe and Empower people in need. We look forward to seeing you at My Nana’s Salsa Challenge, 10 am – 5 pm, Saturday, April 18. The event will be held at Sloan Park, 2330 W Rio Salado Pkwy, in Mesa, Arizona. Tickets may be purchased in advance online at www.salsachallenge.com.  

Pas de Cristo Community Center has received a grant totaling $150,000 from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. “Last year, Paz de Cristo served more than 16,600 people struggling with hunger, poverty and homelessness. We provided more than 600,000 meals to Veterans, senior citizens, single parents and working poor,” Executive Director Arlen Westling said. According to Westling, this grant form the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust will provide the additional resources needed to enclose their dining hall and install air conditioning. “By transforming our space, volunteers and guests will find relief from 100-degree summer evenings. Now we will be able to expand the hours of empowerment programs for people in need.” “We’re pleased to help Paz de Cristo serve clients in greater comfort, while providing a multi-purpose space where clients can access programs and services that lead to greater self-sufficiency,” said Senior Program Officer Laura McBride of Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. The grant to Paz de Cristo represents one of 19 awarded to nonprofit organizations in Arizona by the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust during the second of two grant cycles this year. Since the Trust began its grant making in 1998, it has awarded $305 million to 988 nonprofit organizations in its home states of Arizona and Indiana. For more information about the Trust and its programs visit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. The mission of Paz de Cristo is to Feed, Clothe and Empower people in the Phoenix East Valley. the organization provides more than 50,000 meals each month and strives to relieve suffering while helping those in need improve their quality of life. Clean clothes, a hot shower and a haircut give people a fresh start. Paz de Cristo’s Jobs Program offers personal career coaching along with practical, one-on-one assistance writing resumes, searching for job openings and preparing for interviews. Computers with online access and printers are available in the Job Center. Staff members help people get Arizona identification, birth certificates and bus tickets effectively removing barriers so people can get ahead. This powerful intervention of food, clothing and jobs is helping end the cycle of poverty. Celebrate stories of life change and discover more about the vision, mission and values of Paz de Cristo.