About 25 Risen Savior members gathered to box and move 2.4 tons of donated food from the front of the sanctuary to the entrance of the church for pickup by the Chandler Food Bank. Most of those present were also Sun Lakes residents.
On Thursday, April 16, Risen Savior Lutheran Church and School launched its 2015 spring food drive to gather food for the Chandler Food Bank, a division of the Chandler Christian Community Center.
“This was our second spring food drive,” said Risen Savior Senior Pastor Ron Burcham. “Knowing that there are people in the Chandler area that struggle to put food on the table while our cupboards are full is just unacceptable. We know that as individuals we can make a difference, but if we join together as one with our neighbors in Sun Lakes, and ask for God’s blessing, we can have a substantial impact,” he added.
Throughout the drive, the food was displayed at the front of the church to enable the congregation and visitors to see the growing results of working together to help others in the Chandler community.
On the last Sunday of the drive, a team of 25 Risen Savior members boxed and moved the food to the Narthex at the front of the church. (See photo). On both Monday and Tuesday the Chandler Food Bank used their largest truck to collect the donated food.
Pastor Burcham commented, “After weighing the food, Food Bank officials advised us that we, along with our friends and neighbors, had donated 4,529 pounds (2.3 tons) of food which will provide assistance to numerous Chandler residents in need this summer. I am extremely grateful to everyone who donated to our 2015 spring food drive. They gave freely and generously from their hearts. As a result, they were a blessing to others and in the end it was a blessing for each donor as well.”