Ellen Engel

We start this month’s report with a plug for our beneficiary organization – Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank of Chandler and a want ad – an appeal on our own behalf, an opportunity for community service as transportation director for Reach Out Sun Lakes.

First, the plug: 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, which is located at 1368 Arizona Avenue in Chandler. Matthew’s Crossing always needs additional volunteer help. If this direct participation activity appeals to you, please call the food bank’s volunteer coordinator at 480-857-2296.

And now the want ad: This month we have a special request and an immediate need. One of our most loyal volunteer couples, Howard and Jeanne Lundgren, need to give up their monthly commitment to making the pickups and delivering food and money to the Food Bank. We need someone with an SUV-type vehicle and the time freedom to work for a few hours on the first and second Mondays and Tuesdays of each month, starting in July or sooner, to keep the system working efficiently. See below for Reach Out Sun Lakes contact information.

Food collections for the year so far total more than 1.5 tons and more than $2,200 in cash donations have been received from individuals and organizations. It all goes to Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank in Chandler.

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 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 (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.