Joyce Wainscott and Patty See
Thirty miles separate SaddleBrooke from Arizona’s Copper Corridor. The drive takes less than an hour, but those miles can represent a lifetime of difference.
Communities such as Mammoth, San Manuel, Winkelman, and Hayden were once prosperous mining towns. When mines closed, jobs disappeared, businesses failed, and families moved away. Although these communities remain remarkably resilient, the economic effects continue today.
Members of SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary see that reality every week while volunteering in San Manuel schools. Teachers explained that many children arrive hungry—and that even a healthy snack makes a noticeable difference. Children who have eaten are calmer, more attentive, and better able to learn.
That observation led to a simple question: What if we could help?
Today, Sunrise Rotary provides healthy snacks to every kindergarten through third-grade classroom in the San Manuel schools. The program eases hunger while introducing children to nutritious foods many have never tried.
One volunteer remembers slicing apples while the classroom became completely silent. The children simply watched and waited. At first, many wanted the apples peeled. Then one child encouraged the others: “You should try them. They’re sweet.” By the third visit, the apples were disappearing—skins and all.
Another child carefully removed every strand of white membrane from an orange. A volunteer gently explained, “You can eat that part, too. It’s very nutritious.” The child looked up in surprise, never realizing it was edible.
Weeks later, a little boy proudly announced that his family had bought applesauce. It was a small moment, but it showed that lessons learned at school were finding their way home.
Teachers say the difference is unmistakable. Most classrooms serve snacks in the afternoon because some children may not eat again until evening. A nutritious snack helps students concentrate longer and remain ready to learn.
Behind every snack are volunteers who purchase approved foods, monitor allergies, prepare and package portions, and deliver them to classrooms. Snacks follow USDA nutritional guidelines and include fresh fruits or vegetables whenever possible.
For Sunrise Rotary, this program is about more than food. It supports learning, encourages healthier choices, assists teachers, strengthens families, and reminds children that someone believes in them and cares about their future.
How You Can Help
SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Please make checks payable to:
SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary Foundation
Memo: Snack Program
Mail to:
Roger Swett, Treasurer
SaddleBrooke Sunrise Rotary
63209 E. Desert Highland Drive
SaddleBrooke, AZ 85739
Questions: sbrotarysunrise@gmail.com
Together, we can make a lasting difference—just 30 miles away.