A Surprise food bank is handing out more than emergency food boxes these days – it’s opening its doors as a community center one day a week.

Every Friday night, Northwest Valley residents gather to listen and dance to a local band on stage at the Valley View Community Food Bank. Children sometimes play kickball or games of chess and checkers at one corner of the warehouse.

“This isn’t very far and we certainly enjoy the music,” said Karen Richardson, 62, of Sun City, who donates to the food bank. OAS_AD(’ArticleFlex_1′)

For Jesse Ramirez, food bank director, Friday nights are also an opportunity for him to spread the word about his operation.

“It’s more of a community awareness to where organizations and even corporation representatives can come on down and see what we are all about and if they can help us out with food drives,” said Ramirez, who opened the food bank in 2007. “We started that three months ago and between 65 and 130 people that show up.”

The bands are local and perform for free. Ramirez has had 12 groups perform, including an Elvis impersonator. In about two weeks, Ramirez plans to have a comedy night featuring local comedians.

One recent Friday night, a blues band took the stage while volunteers served up free tostadas, Spanish rice, broccoli salad and other goodies to the audience. Usually, grilled hamburgers and hotdogs are on the menu.

The food bank also is expanding its services. Later this month, it is hosting a Christmas in July event, where children will get free haircuts and backpacks with school supplies.

Next month, it plans to help people find jobs in partnership with Jobing.com. Ramirez said two volunteers will help job seekers craft resumes and a computer will be set up for them to use.

Also, this week a Community Action Program office opened on site to help the homeless and working poor with emergency aid, such as for rent or utilities.

“It’s a unique hub to help the community other than with food,” said Jon Cavaletto, 42, of Surprise, who brought three of his four children to the Friday music night. “It’s more of a holistic approach.”

Cavaletto said the food bank fosters a family-oriented environment and that he brings his children to help sort food for the needy, which teaches them how to give.

“The organizations that are out there, they just specialize in one thing,” said Ramirez, a Surprise resident. “We do a real awesome job with food and we want to make sure there are other resources there for people.

“I think the food is just a Band-Aid for what they are going through in life. Their cut is much deeper.”

More on Valley View Community Food Bank

Locations: 11115 W. Nevada Ave., Youngtown, and 11081 N. Milgard Way, Surprise.

Summer hours: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays.

Service area: Surprise, Youngtown, Sun Cities, El Mirage.

• Thanksgiving 2008: Served 500 meals and handed out 7,000 food boxes.

• Christmas 2008: Gave more than 1,200 food boxes and 1,500 toys.

• 48 percent of clients who come in for food boxes are 65 years old and older.

• Each client is allowed one food box every 30 days. Exceptions are homeless and families in transition, who can receive weekly boxes.

• Each food box includes staples such as luncheon meat, dairy and produce and is stocked according to size of the family. It lasts four to six days.

• Takes referrals from other agencies and will help those without a case manager. Picture identification is needed and proof of children is needed.