Three names you may recognize on your ballots tomorrow volunteered their time and energy Saturday morning to distribute food to those in need at the Maricopa Pantry. 

Pinal County Supervisor candidate Rich Vitiello, Pinal County Sheriff candidate Ross Teeple and incumbent state Rep. Teresa Martinez, all Republicans, crunched through a long line of hungry locals there to pick up food. 

Teeple said he first volunteered at Maricopa Pantry on Thanksgiving when the food bank supplied a full-on feast to the community. 

“It was one of the best days ever,” Teeple recalled. “Since then, I’ve wanted to be out here helping.” 

He lives in Florence, an hour-and-a-half east, but couldn’t stay away. 

Teeple on Saturday did “anything they needed help with,” he said. “I’m in the acorn that becomes the oak.”  

Teeple and Vitiello worked alongside more than a dozen other volunteers, packing up boxes and making sure everybody got one of every type of food or drink.  

“I like to give back to the community,” Vitiello said. “I’m always willing to help.” 

Martinez talked to people in their cars to determine how much food they needed. 

“This is the third time I’ve ever been to a food bank,” Martinez said. “I really enjoy doing it… I love doing something back for the community.” 

Marinez said she has volunteered at the St. Mary food bank in Phoenix, and another in Yuma, but “you don’t really get to connect with people like you do here.”