Combating Childhood Hunger
Corbin's Legacy
Q: What is Corbin’s Legacy?
Corbin’s Legacy is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity. The mission is to eliminate childhood hunger at a local level. Over the past ten years Corbin’s Legacy has provided meals to students at Title I schools through backpacks of food sent home over school breaks, delivery of food to classrooms for children who would not eat during the school day, backpacks of food sent home on Fridays with children who would go hungry over the weekend without it, and a new program that offers Title I families with canned fruits and vegetables through free farmer’s markets.
Q: How was Corbin’s Legacy started?
Corbin’s Legacy is the legacy of Corbin Leafman, a kindergarten teacher who passed away from cancer at the age of thirty. She taught at schools with disadvantaged students and would stand in line, holding a twenty-dollar bill to show the lunch lady that none of her students were to go without a meal. She wanted to be remembered for how she lived—with passionate care and a giving spirit—rather than how she died. Her family took up the mantle and Corbin’s Legacy was born.
Q: What is the mission?
The mission is simple: feed hungry children. Corbin’s Legacy exists because no matter where you stand in the valley, there are at least five children going to bed hungry every night within a mile radius.
Q: How can someone support the mission at Corbin’s Legacy?
It doesn’t take much to get involved. The simple mission makes the action simple too. It costs around $12,000 to sponsor an entire school for an entire school year. $10 buys a bag of food (a backpack) that feeds children and their families for an entire weekend. There are ways to donate, including using your AZ Tax Credit. You can simply show up and serve too. Each week there is food that needs to be packed and distributed. This work is easy to participate in, just show up to pack the food, it all happens in Joan’s driveway. You can call the phone number or email Joan to find out more about how to help serve.
Corbin’s Legacy is the little engine that could in our community. They are here to serve—an army of volunteers trying to make a difference.
Giving Kids Style
Valley Bloom
Q: What is Valley Bloom?
Valley Bloom is a 501(c)(3) that is rooted in decades of service in the valley. Started in 1989, Valley Bloom was formerly Assistance League East Valley. In 2025, the organization stepped into full independence, becoming Valley Bloom, a move that allowed for quicker decisions, more flexibility, and deeper connections within the community.
Q: How does Valley Bloom work?
Through three separate stems of service:
- Valley Bloom Students— where students receive clothing, school uniforms, personal care items, and school essentials. Valley Bloom has partnerships with schools in Mesa, Tempe, Kyrene, and Chandler. There is also support for homeless teens to receive supplies and support to achieve success in school. There is also financial assistance that can be awarded to qualified seniors graduating from EVIT and plan to pursue higher education.
- Valley Bloom Cares—where neighbors in crisis receive new clothing, snacks, blankets, and other essentials to ease stress, poverty, and trauma. Cleaning supplies are provided to families transitioning into housing through the Save the Family organization.
- Valley Bloom Enrichment—where disabled adults at adult day care centers received provided activities and snacks.
Q: What is the mission?
To transform the lives of children and adults through community programs.
Q: How can someone get involved with Valley Bloom?
Valley Bloom has dedicated itself to being a community staple but one that works with other programs. There are many “vines” that enables the organization to support the flourishing of the community. You can start small by donating to and shopping at the Valley Bloom Thrift Shop. As a non-profit there are ways to give directly. Support fundraising events such as the Runway for Hope, an annual fundraiser that combines community, compassion, and a splash of style to support our programs serving children, families, and individuals across the Valley. You can also become a member of the organization and there are countless volunteer opportunities.