Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: How is Tucson’s food bank coping with soaring holiday demand?
Be sure to catch Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings on the Tucson Patch calendar
Good morning Tucson! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- How is Tucson’s food bank coping with soaring holiday demand?
- What did U of A students uncover about poverty in Tucson?
- Why Tucson police are stepping up security at Hanukkah events this week
Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings and 8 more events.
Find out what's happening in Tucsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
📸 Have a great pic of holiday decorations from around Tucson? Post it to Tucson photos of the day! ☃️ 🟢-🟠-🟣-🔴-🟡-🔵 ☃️
Today's riddle: Can February March? 🤔 (Answer below!)
Find out what's happening in Tucsonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
From our Partner
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- Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 77 and low of 48 degrees.
- Wednesday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 76, low: 49.
- Thursday: Mostly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 78 and low of 51 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona keeping food boxes and families full this holiday season (kgun9.com) — Right now in Tucson, the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona is scrambling to meet a 30% jump in demand after federal food supplies were cut and a government shutdown delayed SNAP benefits. Leaders say 75% of their food comes from local donations, and they’re urging neighbors to give time, money, or food so families can keep holiday meals on the table. 
2. U of A students present findings on Tucson poverty concerns (kvoa.com) — University of Arizona students just shared new research on poverty, food insecurity, and health insurance struggles in Tucson’s 29th Street Thrive Zone, with Mayor Regina Romero on hand to hear their ideas. Drawing on 280 interviews, they found many residents barely or not making ends meet and detailed how the recent government shutdown worsened SNAP reliance and healthcare worries.
3. Local law enforcement presence increases at Tucson Jewish celebrations following Bondi attack (kold.com) — In response to the deadly attack at Bondi Beach, Tucson law enforcement is boosting its presence at local Hanukkah celebrations to reassure and protect the Jewish community. Chabad Tucson’s Rabbi Yehuda Ceitlin requested extra patrols, and Pima County Sheriff Chris Nanos says deputies and intelligence teams are on heightened alert while urging residents to report any suspicious threats immediately.
4. Pima County considers $1.2M support for South Tucson's emergency medical and fire services (kvoa.com) — Pima County is weighing a $1.2 million, four-year funding plan to help keep fire and emergency medical services running in South Tucson through a long-term contract with Rural Metro. With high poverty and rising 911 calls straining the city’s budget, supervisors are also considering forgiving over $1.2 million in settlements so more money can go directly to essential public safety.
5. FACT FINDERS: Why are more older adults overdosing? (kold.com) — Tucson officials and outreach workers are warning about a sharp rise in fentanyl-related overdoses among older adults, especially people living on local streets. New data show deaths climbing even as Pima County reports overall drug fatalities dropping about 20%, sparking debate over whether more opioid settlement money should go toward housing, shelters, and naloxone access in Tucson.
📸 Around Tucson
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Tucson
- Family Storytime
Valencia Branch Library , 202 West Valencia Road , Tucson
10:30 am - It's Babytime! Storytime for Babies
Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
10:30 am - Job/Tech Help | Ayuda Laboral/Tecnología
Valencia Branch Library , 202 West Valencia Road , Tucson
1:00 pm - Read to a Dog
Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
2:30 pm - Movie: The Wild Robot
Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
1:15 pm - Visit the Bookmobile at Ghost Ranch Lodge
Ghost Ranch Lodge , 801 W Miracle Mile , Tucson
10:00 am - Silly Sock Puppet Studio
Flowing Wells , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
3:30 pm - Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings
Grace St. Paul's Episcopal Church , 2331 E Adams St , Tucson
8:45 pm - Tucson Terror & Oddities Krampus Holiday Market
The Coalition Space , 311 E 7th St , Tucson
10:00 am - Movie: The Shop Around the Corner
Flowing Wells Library , 1730 W. Wetmore Rd. , Tucson
1:00 pm - Arizona National Livestock Show
Arizona State Fair , 1826 W McDowell Rd , Phoenix
8:00 am
Wednesday December 17
Thursday December 18
Friday December 19
Saturday December 20
Saturday December 27
📣 Tucson Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- Craft Table
Sam Lena-South Tucson Branch Library , 1607 South Sixth Avenue , Tucson
9:00 am - Pima County Health Department Health Care Kit Distribution
Joel D Valdez Main Library , 101 North Stone Avenue , Tucson
10:00 am - Family Storytime
Joel D Valdez Main Library , 101 North Stone Avenue , Tucson
10:15 am - Toddler Storytime
Quincie Douglas Branch Library , 1585 East 36th Street , Tucson
10:30 am
Tuesday December 16
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Tucson PatchAM possible:
- Junk King Tucson — (520) 549-5865
The Greenest, Cleanest Junk Removal in the Desert! - Sunrise Roofers LLC — (520) 668-6638
Roofing Contractor in Tucson, Arizona.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Hip, Hip, Hooray, a HUGE THANK YOU to the Winterhaven Association.
The opening Festival of Lights was peaceful in the surrounding neighborhoods. The no parking signs and cones helped to keep cars from blocking our… (Nextdoor Winterhaven) - Anyone missing an orange cat 🐈?
The cat ran into my home this morning at 530AM. Took the cat to be scanned, no chip. Staff at the vet clinic believe the cat is definitely someones… (Nextdoor Continental Reserve)
- University of Arizona posted a job opening for Assistant Director, Football Operations (Athletics) in Tucson. Apply here.
- Boot Barn posted a job opening for Inventory Control Associate in Tucson. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Tucson here.
Ok Tucson! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I don't know, but April May!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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