News & Media

Contact: Susan Kricun, (602) 265-2413, (602) 628-1350 or susan@kricun.com Lauren Strait, (602) 914-4363, (602) 300-9039 or lstrait@thephxzoo.com PHOENIX ZOO COLLECTS 15, 111 LBS. OF FOOD AND NEARLY $1, 500 IN CASH FOR FOOD BANKS Guests at ZooLights Goes Wild event Sunday night donate about four reticulated giraffes and two white rhinos worth of food for Valley families PHOENIX (January 19, 2009) – The Phoenix Zoo announced today that 12, 512 people attended “ZooLights Goes WILD” last night, donating 15, 111 lbs. of canned food – a total weight equivalent to four reticulated giraffes and two white rhinos, two of the larger and more popular species in the Zoo’s collection. The food will benefit families served by Desert Mission Food Bank, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and United Food Bank. Thousands of guests flooded the front gates of the Zoo throughout the evening, dropping off their canned food donations and then roaming through the Zoo to enjoy a free night of 2.5 million lights and varied activities of ZooLights. Nearly $1, 500 in cash was also collected to benefit the Arizona Association of Food Banks. “It was just an amazing night, ” said Zoo Executive Vice President Jim Brewer. “To offer a free experience for families and have those families step up to the plate, so to speak, to provide that much food… we had so many people thanking us for giving them something fun to do that also gave them the chance to give back a little. It was truly a humbling experience for all of us and we’re so proud of our guests, our employees and our many volunteers for making ZooLights Goes WILD such a success.” “This is an extraordinary partnership between two non-profit organizations -- the Phoenix Zoo and the Arizona Association of Food Banks – as well as Desert Mission Food Bank, St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance and United Food Bank, ” said Association of Arizona Food Banks President & CEO Ginny Hildebrand. “This team of people not only welcomed the community but also thanked the community. We are delighted beyond words and just can’t thank everyone involved enough for coming together last night with just a few days notice. Because of everyone’s efforts, we’re able to serve our neighbors and feed 11, 624 people who are in need in this extremely difficult time.” (more) ZooLights Goes WILD Page 2 A special thanks also goes out to ZooLights vendors for supplying their services for free, including PRO EM, National Barricade Company, Shumway Security and Ahern Rentals. Photos of ZooLights Goes WILD and more information about the Phoenix Zoo can be found by visiting www.phoenixzoo.org or calling (602) 273-1341. About the Phoenix Zoo: The Phoenix Zoo is a non-profit zoological park that has served over 41 million guests since opening in 1962. Home to more than 1, 300 animals and many endangered and threatened species, the Zoo is dedicated to inspiring people to live in ways that promote the well being of the natural world. About the Association of Arizona Food Banks: The Association of Arizona Food Banks is a private, non-profit organization established in 1984 to bring a more efficient, coordinated approach to the enormous task of providing emergency food to the growing number of hungry Arizonans. The Association partners with the public and private sectors to improve service delivery and maximize food resources at every level. It addresses the need for food today and advocates for improved nutrition services at the state and federal level to develop food security for the future. -30-