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BUSINESS .......15
Wednesday, March 10, 2021
Food bank looks forward to AZ Gives Day BY OLIVIA DOW Foothills Focus Staff Writer
Back to Health Anthem helps people in wellness journey
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gentleman stopped by the Foothills Food Bank and Resource Center one day and yelled, “I don’t need you anymore.” The nonprofit’s executive director, Leigh Zydonik, was nervous and wondered what happened. “I got a job,” she recalled the man sharing. “He said, ‘You helped me through a rough patch. I have a job; I don’t have to come
back here anymore.’ “He was so excited. It was such a heartwarming story. Just knowing that you’re helping someone get through a rough patch in their life is great.” The Foothills Food Bank serves more than 200 square miles with its Cave Creek and Black Canyon City locations. Residents in Black Canyon City, Mayer, Spring Valley, Cordes Lakes, Cave Creek, Carefree, Anthem, Desert Hills, New River, North Scottsdale and North Phoenix are welcome to visit the facilities for help.
The food bank and resource center smooth over tumultuous times and offer financial assistance, resume building and signing people up for government services, Zydonik said. Foothills Food Bank is looking forward to Arizona Gives Day on April 6, a 24-hour online giving experience that unites Arizonans around causes they believe in. “What I think is very special about Arizona is the state has a charitable tax credit for
see FOOD BANK page 4
Anthem nonpro�it helps kids recovering from illness
FEATURES ........19
Carefree Coffee Roastery recently yarn bombed
YOUTH ............22
Anthem student builds path to be mechanical engineer
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BY SARAH DONAHUE Foothills Focus Staff Writer
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rian Billideau wants to use his charity organization to gift a toy to the thousands of kids admitted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital annually. Founded by Billideau, Smiles 4 Sick Children has donated more than 16,000 toys to Phoenix Children’s Hospital and has extended its reach to facilities like Flagstaff Medical Center and Cardon Children’s Medical Center. The Anthem-based charity has raised more than $158,000 to buy toys for children in hospitals battling and recovering from serious illness
see ILLNESS page 5
Dave Smith and Brian Billideau sell golf balls to raise money for Lego they donate to charity. (Photo by Pablo Robles)
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