Community Outreach’s 19th annual Food Drive a major success

Donations were sorted and boxed by 70 volunteers.

Donations were sorted and boxed by 70 volunteers.

The 2017 SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO) annual Food Drive, held on March 25, exceeded all expectations in terms of participation and donations. Compared to 2016, food donations increased by 98% (over 24,000 pounds) and monetary contributions rose by 176% (more than $36,000). These donations of food and money have been delivered to Tri-Community Food Bank (TCFB) where all contributions will be used to feed the hungry in San Manuel, Oracle and Mammoth.

According to Bob Evans, 2017 Food Drive Chairman, event coordinators made a concerted effort to inform SaddleBrooke residents about the need for food assistance in the San Manuel, Oracle and Mammoth area. In addition, SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch volunteers collaborated to ensure proper coordination between the two groups. These efforts clearly helped to increase donation levels.

On the day of the Food Drive 45 Unit Captains picked up donations and brought them to the HOA 2 clubhouse parking lot where they were sorted and boxed by 70 volunteers. Food donations were then transported to the TCFB warehouse in Mammoth. This year Unit Captains and other volunteers scrambled to keep up with the volume of donated food. In the end, they were exhausted but pleased with the generosity of our community. Evans extends a heartfelt “thank you” to the volunteers and residents who helped make this year’s event such a success.