PHOENIX – Join forces with Kartchner Caverns State Park in Benson, Ariz. to help support the local community with a food drive now through December. 

The park is hosting the food drive in partnership with The Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. Visitors can drop off dry goods and non-perishable items at the park now through December 21, 2025. For people not planning to stay at the park, donations can be dropped off at the gatehouse entrance. The food drive is one of the latest to follow other state parks collecting donations for their communities. Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction held a ‘Fill the Ranger Truck’ food drive on Nov. 15-16 to benefit the Superstition Community Food Bank, and Slide Rock State Park in Sedona held a food drive on Nov. 22-25 to benefit the Flagstaff Family Food Center. 

The Community Food Bank is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charity that ensures the people of southern Arizona have access to the food and programs they need. The food bank is based in Pinal County and serves Cochise, Graham, Greenlee and Santa Cruz counties.

Kartchner Caverns State Park is known for its awe-inspiring living cave system that was discovered in 1974 under the Whetstone Mountains by Gary Tenen and Randy Tufts. The park opened to the public in 1999 and offers camping, cabins, hiking trails, cave tours and events. More than 130,000 people visit annually. 

WHAT: Community Food Drive

WHERE: Kartchner Caverns State Park, 2980 S Hwy 90, Benson, AZ 85602 (9 mi. South of Benson on Hwy 90)

WHEN: November 22 to December 21, 2025

Connecting people to the outdoors and history of Arizona to build a lifetime of memories.

For information about the more than 30 Arizona state parks and natural areas, trails, Off-Highway Vehicle program, and State Historic Preservation Office, call 1-877-MY-PARKS or visit AZStateParks.com. 

PRESS CONTACTS: Michelle Thompson, (480) 589-8877 - Email: pio@azstateparks.gov