Two heartwarming stories are giving Tucson plenty of reasons to smile this July — a citywide food drive stocking pantry shelves with a beloved staple, and a local gallery hitting a landmark moment for the arts community.

Interfaith Community Services (ICS) is hosting its annual Peanut Butter Party food drive from July 1 through August 1, calling on Tucson residents to donate jars of peanut butter to help neighbors in need. The month-long campaign is a summertime tradition that addresses a real gap in food bank supplies: peanut butter is a protein-rich, shelf-stable staple that families rely on, yet it is rarely donated in large quantities. Residents across the city are encouraged to drop off donations at participating locations before the August 1 deadline. Every jar collected goes directly to families served by ICS, one of Tucson’s most active hunger-relief organizations.

On the arts front, The Tucson Gallery is celebrating a major milestone — the gallery now supports more than 50 local artists. The achievement reflects the gallery’s growing role as a hub for Tucson’s creative community, providing local talent with a platform to share their work with residents and visitors alike. Reaching the 50-artist mark is a testament to the enthusiasm of both the artists who call the gallery home and the community members who have shown up to support them.

Together, these two stories capture what makes Tucson’s community spirit so vibrant: neighbors feeding neighbors and neighbors uplifting local creators. Whether you have a jar of peanut butter to spare or an afternoon to spend browsing original artwork, there are easy ways to plug in and make a difference this summer.

For those looking to contribute to the ICS Peanut Butter Party drive, the campaign runs through August 1. And for art lovers, The Tucson Gallery’s growing roster of more than 50 artists means there has never been a better time to discover something new and locally made.

Sources: Tucson Foodie, EIN News