By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
February is International Hunger Month for Lions Clubs internationally and the reason the Crestline Lions chose to sit in front of Goodwin’s in those freezing February winds last Saturday, Feb. 15. It was their small way of doing their part to fight hunger in the community.
Gary Cole donating a basket full of food to the Lions food drive.
They passed out a short list of items to people entering Goodwin’s Market last Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and asked each one, if they could afford it, to get an item or two to donate. Then, at 2 p.m. they took the bags of items over to Hearts & Lives, where they conducted a food giveaway for their clients and anyone else who stopped by and needed food.
They also did something a little bit differently from last year. The Lions took out items such as applesauce, puddings, tuna and any food items with pull tops that required no cooking and put them aside for Chris at the food bank in Top Town. Chris had told the Lions he has people come in asking for food that requires no cooking that are ready to eat. “In this way, we feel we are trying to accommodate all the needy families in the community,” he said, adding, “The cash we collected at the food drive we will use if we hear of anyone who needs food and we will have the ability to immediately purchase what they need.
Gary Cole from the VFW donated a cart full of food. Cole said, “My wife and I bought everything on your list, until we ran out of time and didn’t get to go down the baking aisle.” When Catherine Johnson received the donation, she almost cried. “What a sweetheart; we also had five other wonderful members of our community who donated a full cart of groceries. Everyone was so generous.
Goodwin’s General Manager Mike Johnstone allowed the Lions to sit at both front entrances to the store, one of which they were happily sharing with the Girl Scouts who were selling their delicious cookies, and all were working well together.
They received approximately 971 pounds of food and $245 in cash donations that they will use to purchase food for those in need. This was a shared project between the Lions and Hearts & Lives. Any food left over will be kept at Hearts & Lives for any clients who come in and are in need. The approximate value of the food was $2,184.
The Lions and the Girl Scouts shared space outside of Goodwin’s Market. (Photo by Cari Slater)
Not only was this an opportunity for the Lions to support International Hunger Month project locally, they also had an opportunity to talk to community members and let them know what Lions do in the community and internationally. They also passed out their business cards, with the hope that those who are seeking a way to help in the community will come to one of their meetings and see what being a Lion is all about.
To get an invitation to their meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month, contact Catherine Johnson at (909) 338-5758.
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