Edie Crall
For the fourth year, volunteers and community members from SaddleBrooke and SaddleBrooke Ranch came together to ensure 75 students from the Mountain Vista K-8 School in Oracle would not go without food during the 15 days of school Winter Break. These students normally have breakfast and lunch at the school while it is in session.
Donations of nonperishable food and money were dropped off at various sites within the communities and the Fire Department in Oracle; fresh produce was purchased with the donated funds, and volunteers from the communities, the fire department, and the Rotary sorted and bagged the food. The Oracle Community Center coordinated the finances. Unused funds will be used to make sure the students will be able to continue on the meal program for the rest of the school year.
On Dec. 21, the last day of school at Mountain Vista, the food was handed out to the students and their families with the continued help of volunteers, staff, and the 8th grade honor society. The recipient families were so appreciative of the effort which made such a difference in the lives of the students.
This project started four years ago when it was discovered there was a problem of students facing food insecurity during the school holidays. The community reacted in a positive way and came together to help solve the problem, and Fueling the Future was formed. It is truly a community effort.
I want to thank all of those who volunteered their time and effort and those who donated funds to make this project possible. May 2024 bring joy and a renewed sense of kindness, compassion, and caring we have for each other. Thank you again.