food bank Phoenix — Episodes — FINDING ARIZONA PODCAST

In this episode, Tate Akopyan, founder of Open Hands Food Pantry, shares the path from an Armenian-born kid raised in North Phoenix to a former pre-K teacher, stay-at-home mom, and house flipper who opened a pantry in North Phoenix. She explains how the belief that "we are blessed to bless others" shapes every part of the pantry, including a shopping-style experience where families choose their own fresh produce, eggs, dairy, and meat, a resource wall connecting visitors to job and financial support, and no ZIP code requirement for anyone who walks in. Tate shares how a first open house raised over $10,000 six months in, the stories that keep her going, the moment the pantry nearly ran out of food, and her goal of opening more locations in overlooked, underserved parts of Arizona. In its first year, Open Hands has served more than 1,500 households and over 5,000 people. Listeners are invited to the pantry's one-year celebration and fundraiser on November 13 from 5 to 7 PM.

Connect with Open Hands Food Pantry

Website: https://openhandsaz.org

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/openhandsfoodpantry/

Address: 15846 N Cave Creek Rd, Suite 2A, Phoenix, AZ 85032

Connect with the Finding Arizona Podcast:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@findingarizonapodcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingarizonapodcast/

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Website: https://www.findingarizonapodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/finding-arizona-podcast/

Twitter / X: https://twitter.com/findingarizona

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