Reach Out Sun Lakes continues spring success

Ellen Engel

We start this month’s report with a plug for our beneficiary organization, Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank of Chandler.

Our Sun Lakes community continues to have significant impact on meeting the need, both through the monthly “Reach Out” food drives and with resident volunteers who work at the food bank itself. Matthew’s Crossing always needs additional volunteer help. If this direct participation activity appeals to you, please pay special attention to the final paragraph in today’s article and call the phone number shown there.

Next, an update on ROSL’s progress. Food collections for the year, so far, total more than 1.25 tons, and more than $2,200 in cash donations has been received from individuals and organizations. It all goes to The Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank in Chandler. Uncollected as of the Splash deadline this month are contributions from the Sun Lakes Democratic Club and the Sun Lakes Jewish community; these will be reported with next month’s results.

The food bank 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, 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 (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 SLCC clubhouse for donors who cannot make their drop-offs at the regular time(s).

For further information on Reach Out Sun Lakes, to offer organizational or personal support to this very worthwhile program or to volunteer your own personal services, please contact Ellen Engel at 480-802-0425 or email her at [email protected].

As reported above, 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.