SaddleBrooke Ranch Residents Brightened Thanksgiving for Local Communities
Tim and Debby Bowen provided their garage for volunteers to use in assembling Thanksgiving gift baskets.
Mary Heasley
SaddleBrooke has been providing Thanksgiving baskets to the Oracle area for more than 10 years funded by SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO). In 2022, for the first time, SaddleBrooke Ranch took this on for the San Manuel and Mammoth area, providing food for 32 families.
“This wasn’t a matter of going it alone,” said Betty Ryan, SBCO volunteer. “SBCO saw a need in the San Manuel/Mammoth area. There were a lot of volunteers at SBR who were willing to take this on, and take it on they did!”
The action started early the morning of Nov. 22, with a crew picking up the food items from the Oro Valley Walmart. Basket assembly took place at Tim and Debby Bowen’s house in a very well-coordinated assembly line. Once the baskets were put together, a small caravan delivered them to San Manuel PK-12 School for the 32 families to pick up.
“We would like to thank SBCO for the generous donation of Thanksgiving baskets to families in need at Mammoth-San Manuel PK-12,” said Dr. Michelle Poppen, principal. “The families who received the baskets were surprised and appreciative of what was given, with some families tearing up as they left.”
Committee members include co-chairs Karen Lanning and Tim Bowen, Debby Bowen, Bonnie Richter, Susan Knight, Vic and Jeanne Nordstrom, Bill and Toni Estrada, Mark and Karen Adamson, Johanna Newman, Ben and Nancy Eisenstein, and Patty Baker.
SBCO is always looking for volunteers to help with all the areas of service they provide to the underserved communities near us. If you’re interested, contact Betty Ryan, co-director of membership, at [email protected].
SBCO Events in 2023
Nancy McCluskey-Moore
SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO) has a busy schedule planned for the new year. We invite you to help us provide local children with the food, clothing, enrichment activities, and college scholarships they need to succeed. Together we can make a big difference in the lives of many young people.
Jan. 20, Kids’ Closet spring session opens
Jan. 23-28, Teen Closet spring shopping days*
Feb. 4, Activities Fair
March 1, College Scholarship Applications due
March 2, Ranch Club Expo
March 18, Food Drive (food and monetary donations)
April 1, Remodeled Home Tour (seven houses filled with great design ideas)
April 10, Annual Meeting and election of officers
April 11, Kids’ Closet spring session ends
April 22, Recycling Event
July 24-29, Teen Closet fall shopping days*
Sept. 11, Kids’ Closet fall session opens*
Oct. 15, Make a Difference Campaign Kickoff
Oct. 16, Fall Meeting/Golden Goose Fashion Show
Oct. 21, Walk for Kids
Nov. TBD, Recycling Event
Nov. 1-17, Adopt-a-Family and Adopt-a-Child donations
Nov. 20-21, Thanksgiving Baskets delivered
Dec. 7, Kids’ Closet fall session ends*
Dec. 14-16, Adopt-a-Family and Adopt-a-Child delivery*
* Dates subject to change. Please check the SBCO website, community-outreach.org, for updates.
Save the Date: 25th Annual Food Drive on March 18
Nancy McCluskey-Moore
On Saturday, March 18, SaddleBrooke Community Outreach (SBCO) will gather donations to support the Tri-Community Food Bank (TCFB) based in Mammoth. TCFB serves families in need living in Mammoth, San Manuel, Oracle, and the Dudleyville/Aravaipa area. Our community’s donations help to provide bi-monthly emergency food boxes to an unduplicated count of 530 households (1,565 people) for the past calendar year. The TCFB served 477 different children and 340 different seniors this year. The food bank serves about 400 households with 1,190 individuals on a monthly basis. The rising cost of gasoline, food, and utilities have resulted in even more burden for local families.
All monetary contributions go directly to grocery purchases and related expenses. SBCO and TCFB are all-volunteer organizations and are IRS 501(c)(3) and Arizona nonprofit charitable organizations, so donations made to these organizations are tax deductible.
TCFB meets a real need in the Tri-Community area, where 20% of households live below the poverty level and 10% are below 50% of the poverty level. It’s hard to provide food for your family, keep a roof over your head, and buy gas to drive to your job if you don’t earn enough to cover these daily living expenses.
This year the food drive committee plans to accept food donations along with monetary donations made online or with checks. We hope to be able to experience the friendship and community spirit associated with the pick-up, sorting, and delivery of food donations.
If you live in SaddleBrooke and would like to volunteer for the food drive, please contact Andrea Stephens at [email protected]. SaddleBrooke Ranch residents should contact Betty Ryan at [email protected].