Jim Meagher

It’s that time of the year when we are saying goodbye to our departing neighbors and hello to heat, monsoon, the D-backs, and all that goes with it. Some of this change of season we welcome, and some not so much.

To our snowbird readers, we have one last request before you leave for cooler weather and life away from the desert heat. Please make a generous donation to Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank. They are finalizing plans to assist the people who rely on them for nutrition and hydration assistance in our extreme heat. They are counting on us to assist the people who rely on them for nourishment and hydration during this dangerous season of high temperature and low humidity.

One current example of how Matthew’s Crossing serves a “community” of people in need of nutrition assistance is our local college students who are not able to afford to feed themselves. College students who must pay their own college expenses frequently lack adequate food to remain healthy and well nourished. Enter Matthew’s Crossing to address this serious health problem. Organizations in Sun Lakes and other nearby communities donate financial and food contributions. Their donations are picked up by Reach Out Sun Lakes and delivered to Matthew’s Crossing. Volunteers from Sun Lakes and elsewhere working at Matthew’s Crossing organize and package the donations into individual and family portions. The food is delivered to students at locations near campus. In a word, it would not be possible if it weren’t organized and supported by people like our readers working with Matthew’s Crossing.

Locations and timing to make donations are as follows:

• Sun Lakes Country Club during their normal working hours in the donation box at the front desk.

• Sun Lakes Bridge Club at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in the south parking lot. Donations for May will be accepted on Tuesday, May 14, between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m.

• Democratic Club of Sun Lakes at Sun Lakes Country Club in the side parking lot area with covered parking. May donations can be made on Monday, May 13, between 6:30 and 7 p.m.

• Unity Church: If you or someone you know is a member of this community, their collection is taken on Sundays at 10 a.m.

We will also be happy to pick up your financial and food donations at your home at your convenience. To schedule this or a visit to Matthew’s Crossing, or if you have questions, please contact me, Jim Meagher of Reach Out Sun Lakes, by email at [email protected] or by phone at 630-346-1966. Financial donations to Matthew’s Crossing are fully tax deductible and qualify for the Arizona Tax Credit Program.