Fall begins with generous donations to Chandler Food Bank

Paul McNeese

The regular monthly food and donation program on behalf of Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank continued last month with its first October pickup at the Duplicate Bridge Club meeting on the 2nd, where Reach Out Sun Lakes (ROSL) volunteers picked up 42 pounds of staple foods and $556.00 in cash donations from enthusiastic Sun Lakes residents.

The second monthly collection, at Sun Lakes Country Club (SLCC) in Phase I (sponsored by the Sun Lakes Democratic Club), occurred on Columbus Day, resulting in donations of 84 pounds of food and $30 in cash. Another donation was received from Unity of Sun Lakes, where members of that community contributed 63 pounds of staple foods and $175 in cash.

Our newest pickup point, an unattended collection box in the SLCC main lobby (now located next to the soda machine), yielded 100 more pounds of food. This location is available whenever the country club building is open, making it very convenient for folks who have trouble attending the Monday pickups at the beginning of the month. But please do not leave any financial donations at this location.

As of press time for this month’s Splash edition, the total food collections for the year have now exceeded two tons, and more than $4,000 in cash has been donated. Thank you, Sun Lakes; keep up the good work!

The Bridge Club pickup takes place at the Risen Savior Lutheran Church on Alma School Road from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. on the first Monday of each month, and the Sun Lakes Democratic Club accepts contributions on the second Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Sun Lakes Country Club (SLCC).

The food bank, itself, located at 1368 Arizona Avenue in Chandler, also needs volunteers on a regular basis. If you are interested, please call 857-2296 and join the many Sun Lakers who already donate time and effort to Matthew’s Crossing.

For further information about Reach Out Sun Lakes and how you can help in this effort, please call Ellen Engel at 480-802-0425 or email her at [email protected].