As federal cuts reduced SNAP assistance for hundreds of thousands of Arizonans, St. Mary’s Food Bank scaled up to meet surging demand from families struggling to afford groceries, including many seeking food assistance for the first time. Recognized as the world's first food bank, the organization has seen visits increase 15 percent over the past year while also confronting higher food costs and cuts to federal commodity programs. Even as St. Mary’s works to keep families fed, its leadership has spoken publicly about the limits of private charity, warning that food banks cannot replace the scale and reach of federal nutrition assistance.