Ellen Engel
Food contributions and dollar donations collected by Reach Out Sun Lakes (ROSL) in May totaled 522 pounds of staple foods and $401 in cash. And the April totals, which were unavailable at press time last month, were 523.5 pounds of food and $156 in cash.
Food collections for the year so far total almost two tons and nearly $1,700 in cash donations has been received from individuals and organizations. It all goes to The Crossing Food Bank in Chandler.
The Crossing serves over 600 needy Chandler families so the need is great, and any Sun Lakes resident may contribute at established pickup points sponsored by the Sun Lakes Duplicate Bridge Club and the Sun Lakes Democratic Club. Membership in these clubs is not a criterion. 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 on the first Monday of each month from 12:30–1:20 p.m. and the Sun Lakes Democratic Club accepts contributions on the second Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Sun Lakes Country Club.
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 SLCC clubhouse for people who cannot make their drop-offs at the regular time(s).
What is the practical significance of the benefits you’re providing with your donations? A single contributed dollar will provide a total of four nutritious meals for a needy recipient or family. We cannot measure the pound of food value in terms of specific meals, but it is unquestionably high, and you continue to make a significant dent in the need with your participation in the ROSL program, which is now in its eighth year.
We are actively looking for additional volunteers to spend several hours a month helping to handle the ROSL collections at our donation locations and helping to perform other simple tasks related to delivery to the food bank, program bookkeeping, etc.
The food bank itself, which is located at 1368 Arizona Avenue in Chandler, also needs volunteers on a regular basis. If this opportunity interests you please call 857-2296.
For further information, to arrange for organizational support of this very worthwhile program, or to volunteer your own personal services, please contact Ellen Engel at 480-802-0425 or e-mail her at [email protected].