South Tucson woman starts organization to fight hunger

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TUCSON, Arizona (KOLD News 13) – Each week we honor people who do extraordinary things in the community. This week we meet a woman from South Tucson who stepped out at the beginning of the pandemic to help families in need and hasn’t stopped since.

“It started with buying groceries for people I knew in the area, and I funded it myself in the beginning. This gave rise to the idea of ​​doing something for the whole community, ”said Desiree Guerrero, this week’s Heart & Sol recipient.

Guerrero soon realized that the demand was too great to handle alone.

“The need was specific for groceries, tampons, sanitary towels, baby products,” she said.

She got the word out and the community responded immediately. Melissa Brown-Dominguez and Mel Dominguez, who own Galeria Mitotera in South Tucson, have helped with food promotions.

“To really fill the void for the people of the City of South Tucson,” said Brown-Dominguez.

UA Garden Kitchen opened their building to Guerrero to store donations.

“It’s a privilege to know her. She’s a community asset and has brought so many of us together, ”said Jenn Parlin, UA Garden Kitchen’s outreach manager.

Guerrero and volunteers deliver crates of groceries to those in need. People can sign up online or call 520-200-8869 without showing any documents or qualifying to receive food.

More than 1,200 people have benefited from what is now known as South Tucson Community Outreach.

“With all of the things COVID has taken away, I think it gave us a sense of community too,” Parlin said.

This week’s Heart & Sol recipient just passes on. We gave Guerrero a $ 300 gift card from our sponsor Casino Del Sol and she immediately knew where the money was going.

“This is definitely heading towards South Tucson Community Outreach,” said Guerrero.

An organization that was born during the pandemic and will continue to fill the void for those in need.

If you have someone you think represents “the heart and soul of Tucson,” please nominate them on our website.

Copyright 2021 KOLD News 13. All rights reserved.

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