For the month of October, several schools and businesses throughout Rogers area community are partnering with CROSS Services and the Rogers Lions Club to collect food donations for individuals and families in need.
“The Rogers community has been very involved in the food drive. We have participation from public and private schools, child care centers, and a variety of businesses,” Rogers Lions member and food drive co-organizer David Brunetti said. “Many Rogers businesses also run food drives on their own throughout the year.”
For the 2014 Rogers Lions Club Food Drive during October, donation boxes have been placed at the following locations in Rogers: Snap Fitness, Rogers Dental Center, First National Bank of Elk River, Curves of Rogers, Kindercare, BMO Harris Bank, Appletime Child Care, New Horizon Academy, Vision Staffing, To The Core Fitness, Rogers Middle School, Hassan Elementary, Rogers High School, Rogers Elementary, Kaleidoscope Charter, Mary Queen of Peace, and Redeeming Grace Lutheran. Pro-Tech Auto Repair in Corcoran as well as Rogers Muller Family Theater had similar food drives happening in October.
“The Lions Food Drive is interesting because of all the different groups contributing and assisting,” Brunetti said. “In addition to schools and businesses, we have a nearby farmer (Edling Farms in Clear Lake) who contributed 2,000 pounds of potatoes. We are also coordinating drop off/pick up with the Rogers Boys Scouts this year.”
“Last year, the community donated 8,332 pounds of food during the Rogers Lions Food Drive, which helped to feed nearly 300 individuals in the community for two weeks,” CROSS Executive Director Elizabeth Johnson said. “We’re looking forward to seeing the results from this year and thank the community for their donations to help local families.”
CROSS Services provides food, clothing, seasonal children’s programs, financial housing support, and Meals on Wheels to individuals and families living in the communities of Corcoran, Dayton, Maple Grove, Osseo, Rogers, and west Champlin. Based in Rogers, CROSS has been operating for nearly four decades and serves more than 600 families each month.
“CROSS is a worthy group for community members contribute to and become involved with,” Brunetti said. “They serve thousands of people every year in need not only food assistance but additional essentials such as clothing and connections to social services.”
In addition to the Rogers Lions Food Drive, October is considered Lions World Service Month and clubs nationwide are involved in many different service projects. The Rogers Lions Club is a local community service group with approximately 130 members. The Rogers Lions put on a number of events. Along with the community-wide food drive, the Rogers Lions Club hosts several events, such as Rockin’ Rogers Days and the December Pancake Breakfast, that directly support organizations such as CROSS, according to Brunetti.
For more information about CROSS, visit www.CROSSservices.org or call 763-425-1050. For more information about the Rogers Lions Club, visit rogersmnlions.org.