Show Phoenix some love, help those in need

Phoenix is a pretty great place to live, don’t you think? We get to enjoy her warm winters, gorgeous landscapes, lack of natural disasters, so why not show her some love? The summer months are rough on all of us, but there are others around us having a tougher time.

August means that kids are headed back to school, yay for parents!  It also means that there will be kids starting a new school year without school supplies or decent clothing.   In July a local organization called, Back to School Clothing Drive outfitted 6,000 kids in Phoenix with new clothes to wear, and backpacks stuffed with school supplies to prepare for the year.  This is a fantastic cause to help build confidence, and give students the materials they need to learn. Unfortunately this is an event held once a year.  You can do your part any time of the year by donating to St. Vincent DePaul Phoenix or Maggie’s Place.

United Food Bank has made a formal plea to Arizonians to donate whatever food items they can spare.  The vast majority of food donations happen during that notorious season of giving. Givers flood the food bank warehouses in November and December, but by the summer months their shelves become extremely sparse.  United Food Bank distributes an astonishing 43,000 meals a day in just the eastern portion of Maricopa County.  At the moment they only have enough food to meet 75% of that demand.

Our furry friends are having a rough time at it too.  Many homeowners who underwent foreclosure have had to give up their pets due to pet restrictions or space issues at their new homes.  Animal shelters are flooded with homeless animals and are overly strapped for space and food for these animals. Maricopa County Animal Control recently turned to the media in their pleas for help. The Mesa location of the shelter literally was down to one bag of dog food as donations and funds completely dried up.  Word is, animal lovers heard the call and dropped off bags upon bags of food and kitty litter to save the day, but the need is ongoing.

It’s easy to go about our days in our own world and forget how great we have it living in this destination getaway.  Doing just a little bit can mean a lot for our neighbors around the valley.