Our Transformation
It’s a brand new day at AZCEND—a time of expanding horizons and endless possibilities. We’re proud of where we’ve been, energized by all that’s new and even more excited about what the future holds.
Where we’ve been
AZCEND has been providing help and hope since 1966. We started out as the Chandler Christian Community Center—essentially a food bank.
For more than 50 years, we’ve been meeting life’s most pressing need for food, safety and shelter helping people who are struggling with hunger, poverty and homelessness.
Over time we have evolved and expanded to meet the changing and growing needs of our neighbors in Chandler, Gilbert and surrounding East Valley communities.
In 2017, we intentionally changed our name to AZCEND—a nod to Arizona acknowledging the deep roots we have in the East Valley communities we serve while also extending our borders to reach beyond Chandler. Our name AZCEND also reflects how people improve their lives. We provide them with the tools they need to rise above challenging circumstances and change their lives for the better.
What’s new
Today neighbors in need count on us for five core programs:
- Food boxes so that no one in our community goes to bed hungry
- Help paying rent & utilities keeping families in their homes
- Emergency shelter, a hot meal and shower helping people experiencing homelessness get back on their feet
- Early childhood literacy preparing little ones to succeed in kindergarten and in life
- Food, activities and friendship helping seniors combat loneliness and isolation
In Fiscal Year 2023, more than 15,000 people received a lifeline of essential services and resources at AZCEND. Behind each one of those numbers is a real person with a unique story.
This powerful intervention of nutritious food, safety, shelter, literacy and friendship changes lives. In fact, we see transformation every single day.
Our work is guided by one powerful mission in five great locations:
- Administrative Offices & Food Bank at our original location on California St in Chandler
- Chandler Senior Center
- Gilbert Senior Center
- Family Resource Center at San Marcos Elementary School in Chandler
- Family Resource Center at the Heritage Center in Gilbert
Our future
Our vision is filled with possibility where everyone in our community is thriving. Our mission is to nourish minds and bodies so that neighbors in need experience a brighter future.
Our new look captures the essence of transformation.
The refreshed logo features two hearts intertwined to form butterfly wings, representing our strong connection to the communities we serve. The butterfly that gracefully emerges from the word AZCEND embodies transformation, resilience, and interconnectedness – core values of our mission. It visually conveys empowering individuals to rise above challenges toward a brighter future.
You will see the new, refreshed logo gradually replace our current logo in the coming weeks. We hope you will join us on this journey where lives are changed.
Did you know?
AZCEND earned a Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator designating AZCEND as an official “Give with Confidence” charity.