On Sunday, March 16th, Saint Matthew’s Outreach Committee will be collecting items to support the Assistance League of the East Valley, which has several major programs:
Operation School Bell: Works with school districts in Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, and Tempe to identify children in need at Title I schools. Target “store dressings” allow children to select new clothing, shoes, and school supplies. Children at uniform-required schools receive a new uniform. Homeless teens and “Youth on their Own” are also supported with clothing, hygiene kits, and school essentials.
Assault Survivor Kits: Contain basic, sized clothing and are supplied to 10 community crisis organizations, along with snacks and other essential items. These kits provide underwear, shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, and hygiene supplies to individuals in crisis situations such as assault, house fires, or accidents.
Scholarships: Offered to East Valley Institute of Technology (EVIT) graduates to pursue two years of post-secondary education.
You may wonder how they raise the money to provide all of this community support. They run a Thrift Shop on Alma School Road, between Warner and Ray (not far from Saint Matthew’s), that is coordinated and run by an army of volunteers. They are a remarkable group of hardworking and dedicated community members who put caring and commitment into action.
Needed items include:
Jewelry
Gently used clothing and accessories (men’s and women’s)
Housewares
Books for children and young adults
Monetary donations
Please bring your donations in a bag or container. Vehicles will be available in the parking lot before and after each service for collection. Monetary donations can be made via check or online. Thank you for your support!
If you’d like to help transport donations, please contact Maria.