Ellen Engel
Collections of staple food items and cash contributions from our Sun Lakes friends during July by Reach Out Sun Lakes (ROSL) brought forth 369 pounds of grocery items and $413 in cash contributions, a remarkably satisfying outcome for what is normally a very slow season for us because of the absence of our “snowbird” friends.
Our major organizational contributors (see below) continued to support us well with 197 pounds of food and aggregate cash contributions of over $400.
Our general, food-only contribution bin in the lobby of the Sun Lakes Country Club (SLCC), where any Sun Lakes resident may drop off food donations, yielded an additional 172 pounds of foodstuffs, bringing the food total to 369 pounds for the month.
Your cash contributions are used to pay for basic foods not normally donated, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, etc., and all food items are ultimately distributed to needy families that use the free services of Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank of Chandler.
ROSL makes pickups from established collection 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 periodic contributions and donations throughout the year. Your organization can do so, as well. But membership in local clubs and congregations is not a criterion. In fact, many individual donors show up monthly at the 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 12:35 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 SLCC and has become such a very popular place for drop-offs that we often make pickups there two or three times a month.
Our Sun Lakes community continues to have significant impact on meeting the need, both through the monthly “Reach Out” food drives and with resident volunteers who work at the food bank itself, which is located at 1368 Arizona Avenue in Chandler. Matthew’s Crossing always needs additional volunteer help. If this direct participation activity appeals to you, please call the food bank’s volunteer coordinator at 480-857-2296.
For further information about Reach Out Sun Lakes or to volunteer to help us out during our collection days, please contact Ellen Engel at 480-802-0425, or email her at [email protected].
Again, thank you, Sun Lakes, and keep up the great work!