Ellen Engel

Hunger is not getting enough food to provide the nutrients (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals and water) for a fully productive and active life. Hunger is having uneasy or painful sensations caused by lack of food. Hunger is the recurrent and involuntary lack of access to food.

Matthew’s Crossing was formed and became a 501(c)(3) community-based non-profit organization serving the working poor. From its humble beginnings of serving 800 people in its first year, Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank currently serves over 78,000 people in need each year, with the help and dedication of over 70 regular volunteers and 150 seasonal volunteers working to fulfill its mission.

The July totals for each of our major organizational donors were as follows: Sun Lakes Duplicate Bridge Club $325.00 and 16 pounds of food, Sun Lakes Country Club (box in lobby) 82 pounds of food, Sun Lakes Democratic Club $28.00 and 62 pounds of food and Sun Lakes Jewish Congregation 96 pounds of food. So far in 2019, Our Reach Out group has collected 2,587.5 pounds of food and $2,862.00.

Membership in local clubs and congregations is not a criterion for contributing. In fact, many individual donors show up at these two club-sponsored pickup points from all over Sun Lakes. 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).

For those who cannot make it to the formal pickup locations at specific times, a collection point is also open during normal business hours at the Sun Lakes Country Club.

The food bank itself, which is located at 1368 Arizona Avenue in Chandler, also needs volunteers, especially in the summer months when many go back north. If this opportunity interests you, please call their volunteer coordinator at 857-2296. For further information, to arrange for organizational support for this very worthwhile program or to volunteer your own personal services, please contact Ellen Engel at 480-980-6841 or email her at [email protected].