Dear Friends, With the holidays approaching and many people suffering because of the difficult economy, it's never been more important to remember those Arizonans who are struggling to make ends meet.

Arizona's food banks do an incredible job of helping families who are struggling to put food on the table. But, in large part because of the economy, demand on our food banks is rising, while donations are going down - meaning that our food banks are being stretched thin.

Arizona food banks need our assistance. This holiday season, I encourage all Arizonans to help our food banks and the many families they serve.

Please take some time to visit www.azfoodbanks.org and make an online donation to the Association of Arizona Food Banks. You can direct your monetary donation to a food bank in your community, or you can help to organize a food drive in your area.

Nobody in Arizona should go hungry - especially during the holiday season. If we act together, we can make sure that Arizona families have the help they need in difficult times.

Once again, the Web site for the Association of Arizona Food Banks is www.azfoodbanks.org. And, as always, you can visit my Web site at www.azgovernor.gov or contact my office with any questions or comments at 602-542-1318.

Yours very truly,

Janet Napolitano
Governor