James Meagher
The roots of the celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in the United States are often credited to the parades started by poor Irish immigrants who came to America seeking relief from hunger and oppression during the potato famine period in Ireland in the mid-19th century to cities like New York, Boston, and Chicago.
A consistent theme repeats itself. Hunger on their beloved Emerald Isle led the Irish en masse to the United States to seek relief and a more secure life. Hunger is the reason our neighbors in the East Valley come to Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank on St. Patrick’s Day, as they do any other day they are open. No doubt many of the Matthew’s Crossing volunteers and staff will be wearing the green that day, and there just may be a touch of the Irish in their food box on and around that day.
The Reach Out Sun Lakes team picks up food and financial contributions that you, our readers, donate at the following sites and bring it to Matthew’s Crossing for sorting and distribution:
Sun Lakes Duplicate Bridge Club at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in the south parking lot. Donations for March will be accepted on Tuesday, March 12, 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. March donations will take place on Monday, March 11, 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 during their normal working hours.
If you wish to make a food donation at an alternate time or location, 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 by phone at 630-346-1966. Financial contributions can also be made online at matthewscrossing.org or by mail to Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank, 1368 N. Arizona Ave., Suite 112-115, Chandler, AZ 85225. Donations to Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank are fully tax deductible and eligible for an Arizona tax credit.