Edna DeFord
It is the time of year when our friends and neighbors return from cooler climates and we all begin to think of our fall activities and plan for enjoying a nice holiday dinner with family and friends at Thanksgiving and Christmas; however, there are many people who think only day by day about where they will get a good meal. This is where our lovely community residents have an opportunity to help provide a good meal for Thanksgiving and Christmas for the people who look to the Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank for assistance. For many years our community has been providing food, financial assistance and volunteer labor to provide a holiday meal for 500 families at Thanksgiving and 400 families at Christmas time with a basket of food and a turkey for their holiday meal. You can have a part in helping with this project.
Once again the PebbleCreek Community Church Mission Committee has been designated as the coordinators for the Agua Fria Food Bank Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner Baskets. Once again we are looking for assistance from other local churches and our wonderful generous PebbleCreek Community to provide these families with a good meal. Starting November 1 through December 15, food collection bins will be in place at the Eagle’s Nest Clubhouse by the Pro Shop and in the Tuscany Creative Arts Center. Donations may also be taken directly to Agua Fria Food and Clothing Bank at 405 E. Harrison Drive, Avondale. We are praying for our community to help generously with this event. Even today the shelves at Agua Fria are bare as there has been a drop in food donations.
Holiday Dinner food items to donate include: canned foods: cranberry sauce, green beans, peas, corn, chicken broth, gravy-turkey, canned fruit; dry goods include stuffing mix, instant potatoes, pinto beans and rice. These are staple items and a frozen turkey and other fresh items will be added to the baskets as available. Funds for turkeys are always welcome or you are encouraged to purchase two turkeys when on sale and donate one to the Food Bank.
Financial donations may be brought directly to the food bank or to the PebbleCreek Community Church on Sunday morning at 9:00 a.m. or mailed to Agua Fria Food Bank at P.O. Box 845, Avondale, Arizona 85323. A check for $40 will feed a family of four a nice holiday dinner (turkey and all the trimmings).
We encourage individuals and clubs to think of ways they can help with this community event to feed a good meal to those who have fewer funds available to purchase food.
In addition to the food distribution Agua Fria also collects toys for the children at Christmas. If you would like to support this effort, purchase toys and take them to Agua Fria to help the clothing area hosting this event.
Residents can volunteer to help distribute food baskets at Agua Fria or for more information contact Edna DeFord at [email protected] or Thelma Jenkins at [email protected], phone numbers listed in the Source Book.
May you be blessed because of your giving heart this holiday season.