Food Bank feeds more than 5,500 monthly

Ellen Engel

Matthew’s Crossing helps people find new strength. The opportunities give hope to many, provide solutions to overwhelming problems, and create powerful results in our community. They provide assistance for individuals and families in need in the East Valley. Most of their clients are working families. They also serve people between jobs, those on fixed incomes, seniors, people with disabilities, and homeless clients.

The totals for each of our major organizational donors for the month of September were as follows: Sun Lakes Duplicate Bridge Club, 17 pounds of food and $160.00; Sun Lakes Democratic Club, 62 pounds of food and $28.00; Sun Lakes Country Club 127 pounds of food. The Sun Lakes Jewish community and Unity of Sun Lakes are on summer breaks. So far this year, we have collected 2701.5 pounds of food and $2,928. Thank you, Sun Lakes.

Matthew’s Crossing serves many 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. Other local organizations, including the Sun Lakes Jewish congregation and Unity of Sun Lakes, also make regular contributions and donations – and your organization can do so, as well.

Membership in local clubs and congregations is not a criterion for contributing. 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 from 12:30 to 1:20 p.m. on the first Monday of each month, 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 Sun Lakes Country Club.

For further information, to arrange for Sun Lakes organizational support for this very worthwhile program, or to volunteer your own personal services, please contact Ellen Engel at 480-980-6841 or email her at [email protected].

Matthews Crossing Food Bank, which is located at 1368 Arizona Avenue in Chandler, also needs volunteers on a regular basis. If this opportunity interests you, please call their volunteer coordinator at 857-2296.