To empower individuals with employment barriers to achieve self-sufficiency through job training, personal development, and employment in the food service or warehouse & logistics industry.

When students fully participate and practice the skills they learn during LIFT (Logistics, Inventory and Forklift Training) and Community Kitchen, they will be qualified for various positions in food service or the warehouse & logistics industry post-program.

Graduates of LIFT receive a 6-week condensed program with a combination of classroom studies and practical learning. When students fully participate and practice the skills they learn, they will be qualified for a warehouse logistics position. Students may potentially earn Foundational-Level Certified Logistics Associate 4.0 (CLA 4.0) ® Certificate and Mid-Level Technical CLT 4.0 Certification (CLT 4.0).

Graduates of Community Kitchen receive a 9-week condensed program with a combination of classroom studies and practical learning. When students fully participate and practice the skills they learn, they will be qualified for a dishwasher, prep, or line cook position. Students may potentially earn ServSafe Food Handler’s Card or ServSafe Food Protection Manager Certification.

The average starting wage of graduates once employed is $18.10/hr. Starting wages will depend on students’ attitude, skills and abilities.

Thanks to generous community donors, the program is offered at no cost to people who need assistance and are looking for a positive life change.

For Community Kitchen, the class size is 10 students per session. For LIFT, the class size is 8 students per session.

The majority of students learn of LIFT from other social service agencies where they are already receiving assistance.

The training is conducted at St. Mary’s Food Bank in the University of Phoenix Center. The physical address is 3003 W. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ 85017. (This is our only location.)

The majority of graduates are working in great careers shortly after graduation. Every individual has different life circumstances, ability levels, and motivation levels that can affect employment; therefore, we cannot “guarantee” employment to every graduate.