Jim Meagher

When you fill a student’s backpack with tasty and nutritious food, it brings life and energy to a young person who would otherwise be hungry, perhaps lethargic, and not inclined to finish the school year strong. Matthew’s Crossing’s hunger relief program for young persons in school fills their backpacks with donated food to feed them every weekend until their nutrition needs are supplemented by school-based meal programs during the school week. Many families lack sufficient resources to feed their children adequately without the assistance of programs provided by school districts and food banks like Matthew’s Crossing in the Chandler/Mesa area. What a great opportunity for us to play a key role in the important work of nourishing young people to grow and flourish. Now is the appropriate time to help Matthew’s Crossing make a difference in their lives.

Here are several key statistics associated with the Meals to Grow Program: Every week more than 1,200 children’s backpacks are filled with 11 food items. The students attend 93 schools in the Valley and are enrolled in grades K-16.

Please join us to assist in this very worthy project. We are Reach Out Sun Lakes, your local “logistics team” dedicated to picking up food and financial contributions that you, our partners, donate at the following sites and deliver to Matthew’s Crossing for sorting and distribution. Year to date 2024, you have donated $1,056 and 205 pounds of food through us, which was brought to Matthew’s Crossing.

Sun Lakes Duplicate Bridge Club at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in the south parking lot: Donations for April will be accepted on Tuesday, April 9, between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.

Democratic Club of Sun Lakes at Sun Lakes Country Club in the parking lot in the area with covered parking: Donations for April can be made on Monday, April 8, between 6:30 and 7 p.m.

Unity Church: If you or someone you know is a member of this faith community, they have a collection at their weekly service on Sundays at 10 a.m.

Sun Lakes Country Club (Phase 1): You can leave your donations in the donation box at the front desk of their clubhouse anytime during their normal working hours.

If you want to have food (including citrus) collected at your home, want to schedule a visit to Matthew’s Crossing, or have any questions, please contact Jim Meagher of Reach Out Sun Lakes at [email protected] or 630-346-1966. Financial donations to Matthew’s Crossing are fully tax deductible and qualify for the Arizona Tax Credit Program.