Charles T. “Punch” Woods, former executive director of the Community Food Bank for 25 years, died Wednesday morning after a horseback riding accident. He was 82.
Woods retired from the Community Food Bank in 2003.
"Punch Woods had a tremendous sense of caring, a spirited sense of humor and served as a vocal advocate in raising awareness of hunger in southern Arizona," the food bank said in a statement Wednesday.
In 1995, he led the Community Food Bank's move from its 29,000-square-foot location on South Park Avenue just south of downtown to a 150,000-square-foot building at 3003 S. Country Club Road.
Woods applied for the Community Food Bank director position in 1978, a year after moving back to the U.S. from Mexico with his wife, Casey Woods, and his three daughters, according to Star archives.
"We arrived in Tucson in a VW bus with three kids, two dogs and no job," he told the Star in 1999.
Soon after moving to Tucson, Woods was hired to run a Hispanic awareness program through Tucson Metropolitan Ministries — now TMM Family Services — the social service branch of the United Methodist Church, until the food bank position opened up, the Star reported in 1999.
In 1978, less than 80,000 pounds of food were distributed annually through 16 partner agencies, according to Star archives. By 2002, when he announced his retirement, more than 13 million pounds of food were distributed through almost 400 community agencies.
"It's been wonderful," Woods told the Star in 2002. "It's just been a joy to be part of an organization that the community cares so much about."
His legacy at the Food Bank includes the Punch Woods Endowment Fund, which provides funds to organizations that build sustainable local food systems and ensure access to affordable, nutritious food for people, the food bank said.
“Punch worked so hard knowing that people need help today, that it is a disgrace and shame for so many people to be in need of help," said Michael McDonald, CEO of the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. '"His commitment to work toward a more just system guides our work today, as we not only help hungry people today, but work to address the root cause of hunger and poverty for a better tomorrow."
Woods is survived by his wife of 59 years, Casey Woods, three adult daughters, four grandchildren and many community members saddened by this loss.
Services are pending.
