By Cyrus Guccione
Mail

The Extended Hands Food Bank in Fountain Hills is celebrating its 20th anniversary with a neighborhood block party.

Set for Saturday, April 6, at St. Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church, the food bank will feature games and food carts, a raffle and a silent auction held throughout the day. One item up for auction is a certificate to the award-winning SunRidge Canyon Golf Club in Fountain Hills, good for four golfers.

The festivities begin at 3 p.m. and run until 7 p.m.

As a special guest, the food bank has asked American actress and Author Mariel Hemingway to provide a presentation at 5:45 p.m.

Author of two memoirs, “Finding My Balance: A Memoir” and “Out Came the Sun: Overcoming the Legacy of Mental Illness, Addiction, and Suicide in My Family,” Hemingway is an advocate for mental health awareness and has spoken openly about her own struggle with mental health.

The granddaughter of the renowned American author Ernest Hemingway, Mariel has made significant contributions to the entertainment industry and continues to be active in her mental health advocacy work, according to the food bank’s Assistant Director Ally Rahn.

“Personally, I believe what we put in our bodies has a big impact on mental health,” Rahn said. “We chose (Mariel Hemingway) to help spread awareness of mental health.”

At the event, Rahn says Hemingway will highlight the importance of mental health awareness and reducing the stigma surrounding mental illness, pulling lessons from her own life.

Rahn says alcohol abuse has been a notable issue within the Hemingway family, a fact that Mariel Hemingway has been open about publicly, particularly as it relates to its impact on her personal and professional life.

Committed to wellness advocacy and in support of Mariel Hemingway’s cause, the Extended Hands Food Bank will not serve alcohol at the neighborhood block party.

General admission tickets are $75 and VIP tickets are $150 which provides a chance to meet Hemingway, a copy of her most recent memoir and a book-signing.

Sponsorship opportunity

In addition to the celebration, Extended Hands Food Bank has announced that it recently received a generous donation from CrossFit Four Peaks in the form of a new truck to support its work picking up food supplies in locations throughout Fountain Hills and North Scottsdale.

Both trucks will soon be wrapped with the Extended Hands Food Bank logo along with advertisements for local business sponsors including, CrossFit Four Peaks.

As the food bank begins to put miles on the new truck, local businesses are invited to take advantage of a moving advertisement for decades to come.

“This truck will be driven around for 20 years or more,” Rahn said, adding that there are only five spaces available. The cost for advertising is $20,000.

Rahn invites the community to “come out and support a good cause,” while enjoying a rare opportunity to hear from Mariel Hemingway.

St. Anthony on the Desert Episcopal Church is located at 12990 E. Shea Blvd. in Scottsdale.

For tickets and more information, visit EHFB.givesmart.com.

We invite our readers to submit their civil comments on this issue. Email AZOpinions@iniusa.org. Cyrus Guccione can be reached at cguccione@iniusa.org.