Milk is a simple thing. For the 200 people who come to Paz de Cristo each evening for a hot meal, it can make a real difference.
Thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Delta Dental of Arizona Foundation, we can provide milk with every nightly meal. As John Farley, our Director of Operations and Programs, put it: “This grant comes at a perfect time, as milk prices continue to rise. These funds will ensure that our guests have a healthy beverage to drink with their meal.”
The Foundation awarded nearly $838,000 in grants this cycle to 37 nonprofits serving underserved communities across Arizona. We are grateful to be among them.
On April 25, 144 golfers gathered at Dobson Golf Course for the annual Paz de Cristo Golf Tournament — and the results made a difference.
The event raised over $36,000, which will support our Relief Services to Empower Individuals programs. Congratulations to the team from Tom’s BBQ for taking 1st place in the tournament.
Paz de Cristo extends its gratitude to the tournament committee and generous sponsors made the day possible:
Corporate Sponsors: Salt River Project, Endorse Me, LLC, Geesling Financial Group, Boone Insurance, Fast Layne Plumbing, Henning HR Solutions, JR’s Painting, Look Electric LLC, Right Way Installations, Johnny’s Salsa.
Hole Sponsors: America’s Energy Inc., Gina-Maria Magel CPA PLLC, Counxel Legal Firm, Southwest Yoga & Meditation, Powerword Postcards, Courtesy Automotive Group, San Tan Ford, Express Oil Change and Tire Engineers, and AZ Clean Break Company.
Driving Range: Fast Layne Plumbing, The Regenerative Joint.
And our food sponsor: Tom’s BBQ and MKB Transport.
Thunderbirds Charities awarded Paz de Cristo $25,000 this fall to expand food services across the East Valley. The grant supports both our weekly food box distributions and our specialized program for individuals who earn too much to qualify for government assistance but still struggle to afford groceries. Since 2011, Thunderbirds Charities has contributed nearly $130,000 to our work. We’re grateful for their continued investment in our neighbors experiencing hunger and homelessness.
By May, temperatures in the East Valley climb past 100 degrees. For the men and women Paz de Cristo serves, the heat carries real danger. Without access to water or shelter, heat-related illness can develop quickly — and people experiencing homelessness are among the most at risk.
Paz de Cristo’s daytime hydration station is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.–6:30 p.m., and Saturday–Sunday, 3–6 p.m., providing water and a point of connection for neighbors who need it most.
Each evening, the air-conditioned dining room fills with approximately 200 guests. For some, it may be the coolest, safest part of their day — and more than a meal, it’s a moment of community.
Two ways to help this summer: donate bottled water, one of the most critical needs during Arizona’s heat season-we need more than 100,000 bottles of water annually. Or consider volunteering at the nightly meal service. Both make a tangible difference for neighbors who count on Paz de Cristo when temperatures rise.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and at Paz de Cristo, it feels like a meaningful time to pause and acknowledge something we witness every day in our dining room, at our food box distribution, and in our clothing room: the connection between unmet mental health needs and the struggles our neighbors face.
Research published in 2024 by JAMA Psychiatry — drawing on 85 studies and more than 48,000 participants — found that 67% of people currently experiencing homelessness have a diagnosable mental health disorder. That number doesn’t surprise our team. What it confirms is that the work of feeding and clothing people, as essential as it is, only goes so far. Our neighbors are carrying things that a meal can’t reach.
That’s why I’m excited to tell you about something new we’re building this summer.
We’re partnering with The Well, a new initiative through the Diocese of Phoenix, to bring volunteers trained in mental health first aid to Paz who will do something simple and profound: listen and accompany.
These volunteers won’t offer therapy or diagnosis. What they will offer is presence — time, attention, and a genuine conversation with someone who may not have had one in a while. They will be trained in Mental Health First Aid so when a neighbor is ready for more support than this conversation can provide, The Well volunteers will connect them with vetted local resources.
The relationship between mental health and homelessness is not one-directional. Sometimes mental health challenges contribute to losing stable housing. Sometimes the experience of homelessness itself — the instability, the isolation, the loss — creates or deepens emotional pain. Either way, our neighbors deserve care that acknowledges the full weight of what they’re carrying.
At Paz, we’ve always tried to see the whole person who walks through our doors. This empowering program is one more way we live that out. The Well volunteers will sit alongside our clients — not as professionals intervening in a crisis, but as people offering connection to the resource of mental health first aid in a moment when connection matters.
We know this kind of support won’t solve everything. But we also know that being seen and heard is not a small thing.
As Mental Health Awareness Month reminds us, mental health is not separate from the rest of our well-being. It shapes how we move through every part of our lives. For our neighbors navigating homelessness and food insecurity, the weight of that is real.
We’re grateful to be in a position to respond — and grateful for the partners, donors, and volunteers who make it possible.
With gratitude,Jackie ShelleyExecutive Director, Paz de Cristo Community Center
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
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.
“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.
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.
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.
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.
