THATCHER — The Monster Exchange on the campus of Eastern Arizona College received a boost from United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties on Thursday.
United Way interim Director Amanda Patterson presented the Monster Exchange with a check for $38,700 to help keep shelves stocked.
“The money is used to purchase fresh fruit every single week,” said Monster Exchange Manager Rachel Richardson. “So we’re buying food, we’re buying toiletries, we’re buying school supplies and just using it to keep the place running.”
Monster Exchange makes food, clothing and other items necessary for school life available for free to all EAC students. Students must show their school I.D. and are limited to one bag of groceries per week; however, they may come in to make peanut butter and jelly sandwiches daily.
With the funds, and the donation from the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service drive by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Safford Stake Center, Richardson anticipates students will be able to find what they need through Spring Break. However, more donations are needed to keep students fed through the end of the school year.
Donations may be brought to the Monster Exchange, at the corner of Church Street and College Avenue, during normal operating hours — Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. daily. There is sufficient clothing at present, but food and toiletries are always needed.
The United Way of Graham and Greenlee Counties make grants to nonprofit, educational and governmental organizations thanks to donations from Freeport-McMoRan Foundation and Freeport employees; employees of the City of Safford, Town of Thatcher and Graham County; and individual donors.
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 2:26 p.m. Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, to correct the quote from Rachel Richardson on how the money will be spent.
