Jim Meagher
Our choices define us. For example, we decide to stay in Arizona or go elsewhere based on our circumstances. Staying put or heading out is an annual ritual of our friends, neighbors and ourselves. For those who migrate elsewhere we’ve given the title of snowbird. We make the decision that best serves our needs and lifestyle. The point of the introduction is that people who serve the guests at Matthews Crossing Food Bank or MCFB and of the Reach Out Sun Lakes Sun Lakes team have found that only a small percentage of all those who are provided with food at MCFB continue to come back for food when their situation improves and they are able to make on their own. Last year approximately 70% of the guests were served only for a few weeks and did not return again. They made their choice. They did not seek help when they became able to meet their needs and those of their families on their own. These people, the working poor, the aged and disabled are often not given credit for their strong spirit of independence by the community at large. This misunderstanding results in some people being resistant to assisting them.
The purpose of telling you this is to perhaps improve the perception of some about the working poor that MCFB and ROSL serve. You can make a financial donation to Matthews Crossing at their website which is Matthewscrossing.org. We used to kid about elections back in my hometown of Chicago. It was expressed as “Vote early and often. Please make your choice to support Matthews Crossing now and often. Your generosity will help them to purchase the medicine and food they need rather than bypass their health needs to feed their family. Government programs like SNAP have changed to such an extent that many who used to get support via this government program don’t any longer. Many other people have had large reductions in their SNAP subsidy. In spite of this, 64% or approximately two thirds of the people who received food from MCFB last year came three or fewer times and did not come back again in 2025. This means that when their situation improved they made it on their own. They did not seek food at MCFB again in 2025 at a food bank.
If you wish to donate food please text or call me to make pickup arrangements. I am Jim Meagher at 630-346-1966. You may also donate food at Sun Lakes Country Club during their normal hours outside of their service desk in the club’s main building. Donations from that location have more than doubled in the past six months. Thanks to the SLCC community for making the choice to be so generous and your long term commitment to Matthews Crossing and partnership with our team at Reach Out Sun Lakes who maintain the site and transport your donations to the food bank.