Who Are We

Haven Totes started when Karen Stewart, our founder, applied for and received a grant to start a backpack for children program. With that program, Haven Totes volunteers prepared and delivered backpacks for children in local schools to help supplement their meals on weekends. As time went on, it became clear that we were only serving some of the children in the family if a sibling did not attend one of our partner schools.

We have five pantries serving our partner school families with “client-choice food pantries” throughout the Tucson community. Client choice means our families get to shop from our shelves and make the selections of food and other items that meet their needs. In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, and reprisal and retaliation for prior civil rights activity. (Not all prohibited basis apply to all programs).

Board of Directors

Executive Director – David Broughton
President – Karen Stewart
Treasurer – Linda Garrison
Secretary – Denise Allyn
Member at Large – Lydia Gonzalez

Our Programs

Family Pantry:
We strive to provide a variety of nutritious and delicious food choices for families visiting our food pantry. Our food pantry is for the exclusive use of the families of the children we serve. Food items for our Family Food Pantry are donated by individuals or groups. Food is also rescued from local grocery stores and our Community Food Bank. Because of the generosity of others, Haven Totes is able to offer delicious and nutritious food for families and their children who suffer from food insecurity (hunger).

Our Mission

Partnering with the community to provide food, serve, and minister to our neighbors in need; one family and one child at a time.

Our Vision

Our Vision Haven Totes provides food, personal care supplies and other services to children from low income families, their families and low income seniors living in care facilities. Our children’s weekend food program distributes food to over 500 children in 20 different schools.

​1) Low income families, with children enrolled in our Totes for Kids Program, will have access to our new Family Food Pantry where they can receive nutritious food items during the month.
2) Children from low income families will receive weekly food totes from our weekend children’s food program throughout the school year. These totes are full of easy to prepare and nutritious food items for weekends and other times away from school when these children tend to suffer from food insecurity (hunger).
3) Low income seniors will receive hygiene supplies and other items delivered to their care facilities. Additionally, they will receive visits from our delivery volunteers. ​
4) With Haven Totes, volunteers, faith communities and supporters will have a place to serve their neighbors in need.