Ellen Engel

Collection of food items and cash contributions from our Sun Lakes friends during the July pickups of Reach Out Sun Lakes (ROSL) were incomplete as of this month’s Splash deadline; they will be reported next month along with the August pickup results. However, it is worth noting, as we did in last month’s edition, that the ROSL totals for the first half of 2016 (January through June) exceeded 1.5 tons (3,672 pounds) of foodstuffs and more than $2,250 came in the form of cash donations. The cash is used to pay for basic foods not normally donated, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, etc., and all food items are ultimately channeled to needy families that use the free services of Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank of Chandler.

We also want to recognize some of our volunteers. Howard and Jeanne Lundgren have been dutifully making pickups from Sun Lakes organizations, churches and pickup points for quite some time now, recently being assisted by John Straub. And, beginning in the fall of this year, Tom Osredkar will be picking up a good deal of the responsibility for this function.

We make pickups from 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 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 12:35-1:20 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.

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 good work!