Turkey and all the fixings will go to 150 families in the Sedona area this year, thanks to the Sedona Community Food Bank.

Rough economic times often mean higher demand on local charity organizations. This has been the case for the Sedona Community Food Bank. The nonprofit organization feeds up to 300 people a week, roughly 100 families in all, compared to the 50 or so families the bank assisted this time last year.

“Our numbers have doubled. It used to be 50 families. Just in the last year our numbers have increased 50 percent,” said Sylvia Strobel, director for the Sedona Community Food Bank.

Keeping up with the demand in the current economy, she said, has not been easy.

“In holidays we have a lot of food donated. We’re lucky in that respect. We’ve stayed stable, so we have been able to supply the food needed to our clients,” Strobel said.

Local businesses help keep the food bank operational. Their charitable donations, Strobel said, have kept the organization afloat.

“They [local grocery stores] are all very supportive of the food bank. Without them we really couldn’t do it. Sedona is a wonderful, giving community,” Strobel said.

The organization will offer 150 families a complete Thanksgiving dinner. Families in need sign up to receive the assistance from the food bank, Strobel said. One store donated a large portion of the turkeys. Food bank funds will be used to purchase the remaining turkeys.

“We’ll have enough,” Strobel said. “Last year we had 74 families, and this year we have 150.”

Financial donations, as well as donated food items, are used to help families in the area survive during rough times. The bank serves the Village of Oak Creek, Page Springs, Cornville and Sedona. The organization formed approximately 20 years ago to serve the needs of the community. Food is donated to eligible families each Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to noon, Strobel said.

Monetary and food donations are accepted. Volunteers are also welcome. The organization is a member of the Arizona Tax Credit program.

“All of our food is either donated or we buy it. All of our funding is through donations. We don’t receive any federal, state or city funding at all. We are completely independent,” Strobel said.

The food bank also gives food to other organizations in the area, including the Sedona Community Center and the Monday night dinners at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The See’s Candy Wagon, found in the Bashas’ parking lot, also collects money for the organization. Strobel can be reached at 204-2808 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

“One hundred percent of the sales goes to us. It’s our candy wagon. This is our second year for the See’s Candy Wagon,” Strobel said.

Located in rented space at the Seventh-day Adventist Church on Sunset Drive, the food bank operates as its own independent nonprofit organization. Strobel took over operations at the food bank on Oct. 1, replacing longtime director Vince Monaci, who retired after serving over 17 years with the organization.

Strobel served as director of the Sedona Community Center from 2001 to 2005 before moving to New York with her husband, Dave Strobel.

“We missed Sedona and came back,” Sylvia Strobel said. “Vince told me he would like to retire and [asked] whether I would like to run the food bank. It’s fabulous.

It’s a wonderful organization and we have the most wonderful volunteers. We have over 30 volunteers, and they really run the food bank.”

On Christmas last year, a free dinner was offered at the Sedona Community Center, sponsored by the Sedona Community Food Bank. The dinner will be offered again this year, Strobel said.

“Anybody that doesn’t have anyplace to go, or doesn’t have family to go to, we’re doing a complete Christmas Day dinner just like we did last year. It was great,” Strobel said.

Rick Kimberly, executive chef for the Sedona Community Center, said the Sedona Community Food Bank provides a valuable service to the community.

“They provide immeasurable service to the Meals On Wheels program,” Kimberly said. “That augments our program here. It’s absolutely excellent.

We’re right at the top of their list. They support the Breakfast Club and the Meals On Wheels program after they take care of the community.”