Big Idea
- Rotary Interact Clubs bring together students aged 12-18
- Students form food drive alliance with ERAU club counterparts to help Yavapai Food Bank
- Food drive to take place this weekend to restock local food banks
- List of needed food and drop-off places below
- Read more...
Food Drive this weekend!
April 20, 2021, Prescott, Arizona - Interact clubs bring together students ages 12-18 to develop leadership skills while discovering the power of Service Above Self. "It's a Rotary service club for young adults to build leadership and service skills before graduation," says Ken Lain, owner of Watters Garden Center and Interact mentor. Students are required to organize two projects annually, one that helps their community and another that promotes international peace and understanding. Students saw a need at the local food banks.
For the past 50 years, the Community Cupboard has served Yavapai County, but Covid changed everything. Serving food to locals in need is our passion, but we have been overwhelmed giving away over 13,000 pounds of food, and the cupboard is running dry. We need help! The students found the exact community needs at the Yavapai Food Bank. That's when the Prescott High School Interact club jumped in to help restock their food cupboards.
A food drive alliance was formed between the Prescott and Bradshaw High School Interact students, with help from their Embry-Riddle University club counterparts. Local community leaders from each Rotary chapter rallied behind the kids as guides and mentors to help them succeed in such a significant endeavor.
"I'm so excited our High School Interact clubs asked for help with this food drive. They saw a need and asked for help. This is what Rotary is famous for, helping not only our local community but making the world a better place." says President Mary Fusinski. "We put the call out to local Rotarian's, and they used their connections in the community. That's why we love Watters and our other drop-off businesses so much. They are model Rotarian's with a lot of connections when it counts."
Students from the High School Interact Clubs are launching a food drive this weekend to completely restock what local food banks have already given away and then some, April 23, 24 and 25th. The need is great for all non-perishable canned items like vegetables, meat, and fish, soup, peanut butter, and jelly. Dry goods like pasta, beans, rice, and cereals are also much needed right away. Even toilet paper is still needed.
Rotary members with business connections have established the drop-off points. An efficient drive-by location is found at Watters Garden Center, with food bins at all other sites. "We are converting watering troughs in front of Olsen's to help with the food drive," said Steve Sischka, owner of Olsen's Grain. "We are making it very easy to donate to local families in need."
"For those that don't want to shop, we accept donations through our Foundation," says Mike Payson, Rotary Community Projects Manager. "Make checks out to Prescott Frontier Rotary club. Through our solid connections, we'll do all the shopping for you, but we need your help." Checks can be dropped off at Watters Garden Center or mailed to Prescott Frontier Rotary, PO Box 1903, Prescott, AZ 86302 for a tax credit.
Drop-off Locations
Friday, Saturday & Sunday, April 23 - 25, 9 to 5 pm.
Watters Garden Center - 1815 Iron Springs Rd., Prescott
Walmart - 3450 N Glassford Hill Rd, Prescott Valley
Prescott True Value - 846 Miller Valley Rd, Prescott
also Friday & Saturday 10-5pm
Olsen's for Healthy Animals - 711 Elrod Rd., Prescott
Better Homes & Gardens Bloom Tree - 102 W Gurley St #102, Prescott
Rafter 11 - 2985 Centre Ct B, Prescott Valley
