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The 3000 Club is a Phoenix-based charity which works with food banks in Arizona in order to reduce food waste. The 3000 Club’s main program is known as Market on the Move, although the organization provides a variety of other services for Arizona communities. Their mission statement is “Providing life saving fresh fruits and vegetables to impoverished families.”

Tangible goals are aimed at improving the community, such as rescuing 30,000,000 pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables from being wasted each year.

History
Founder of the organization, Lon Taylor, was inspired by the need of funding the continuation of the Nogales food bank. Ethel Luzario, a crucial member of the entrepreneurial community, joined the organization and expanded it to promote satellite food-banks. In February 2008, medical reclamation was added to the composition of the non-profit. This was initiated by an epiphany had by Lon and Ethel inspired by a visit to the Philippines. A working partnership now exists between the Southwest Medical Aid in Tucson, Arizona and the 3000 Club. This culminated with the redistribution of 2 million dollars in supplies in the summer of 2008. In 2010, partnering with local churches and other non-profits, Market on the Move was created. As of October 2014, the 3000 Club is unaffiliated with the Nogales food bank.

Market On the Move (MOM)
Market on the Move is the flagship enterprise of the 3000 Club. It consists of satellite sites throughout Arizona, including Tucson, Phoenix, Flagstaff, Wittenberg, Casa Grande, and Surprise. The venue will vary but usually exists in parking lots of churches, banks, schools, parks, and other well-trafficked areas. The premise of MOM is to distribute unused produce to those in need and to stop the produce from being dumped in a landfill. This includes up to 60 lbs of food for a donation of $10. MOM encourages the participants to share this produce with friends, neighbors, family members and local organizations. This produce sharing also goes towards environmental concerns in that produce waste is one of the main causes of methane gas being released into the atmosphere. These pick-up sites are open Saturdays from 8am-11am and Wednesdays from 11am-1pm during the majority of the year. The rotating sites create a farmers market style.

MOMers Thrift Store
This permanent thrift store continues the mission of the 3000 Club in its commitment to reclaiming goods and providing easy access to those in need. Items available and accepted as donations are: clothing, footwear, household appliances, electronics and computers, decorations, and garden tools, both electric and manual. The store is open 6 days a week, Monday-Friday: 8am-4pm, and Saturday: 6am-9am. They are located at Tucson Warehouse, 350 S. Toole Avenue, Tucson, Arizona, 85701

American Medical Aid Program
The American Medical Aid Program (The 3000 Club Medical Reclamation Project) has been working since 2008 to redistribute medical supplies and equipment to people in need. Supplies are distributed to people in local, national, and global communities. In addition, the program travels to other countries with a team of volunteers in order to provide medical service and supplies to populations in critical need.

Blanket Program
One of the 3000 Club’s program is the “Blank Program”. They focus on providing blankets to both homeless veterans and homeless shelters. The 3000 club partners with numerous organizations to distribute donated blankets to the over 45,000 homeless veterans currently in America. The program includes an option of donating $3 to supply a blanket to those in need. In donating a blanket the organization stresses the importance of it being more than just a material good that provides warmth and comfort, but one that creates a livable sleeping arrangement.

Computer Refurbishing Program
The 3000 Club also refurbishes donated computers, appliances, and other goods in order to reduce waste and provide affordable electronics for the Tucson Community. Students from 5th through 12th grade may qualify for reduced prices on the program’s goods.