Team Effort

This past month, we were able to rescue over 450,000 pounds of combined vegetables and fruits – Cherry and Grape tomatoes, mangoes and grapes.

Tomatoes contain lycopene, commonly known as the compound that act as an antioxidant, neutralizing free radicals that can damage cells in the body. Studies conducted by Harvard researchers have discovered that men who consume 10 servings of tomatoes a week can cut the risk of developing prostate cancer by 45 percent. Research has also shown that the lycopene can help older people stay active longer.

Mangoes are rich in Vitamins A and C and useful source of Vitamin E and Iron and rich in Beta carotene as well. Health benefits include combating stomach acidity and diuretic. Mangoes are excellent for snacking!

Grapes are rich in Vitamins A, C and P (bioflavonoids) and high in Magnesium content. Among the well known benefits are soothing to the nervous system, good blood builders due to their content of iron, cleaning of liver, aid in kidney function and tumor reduction

****

Reaching Out To Food Banks

Our Executive Director of the Northern Arizona Food Bank. Kerry Ketchum, reports –

I have been very busy in August flying around the Southwest, meeting with five food banks in Texas and Oklahoma. I also had the chance to meet with a large independent national charity. The response from everyone I have met is YES we need more nutritious food for the needy people we serve. Food banks around the country are getting plenty of snacks and junk foods often full of empty calories and trans fat. This is just a start as I am planning on meeting with food banks in California and Colorado in the coming weeks.

You might wonder why I am in such a hurry to meet with so many hungry relief charities. Well, we have a huge opportunity to help feed the millions of people this upcoming produce season. I need to make arrangements now so these food banks are ready to take delivery of 30-40 million pounds of fresh nutritious produce.

Produce seasons are in full swing during the months of November and that is only a few months away! I am worried that we will have too much food and not enough people signed up in The 3000 Club to help transport all this food.

I don't want to see any of this food needlessly wasted just because we can't afford to transport it. The non-profit organizations are very excited to have the opportunity to finally get fresh produce for the less fortunate people they serve. They want and need the food but the biggest problem that keeps coming up is how they are going to be able to afford the diesel fuel cost and related transportation expenses to get this food. I told them we were doing all we can and asked for their help in supporting The 3000 Club as we introduce ourselves in their areas.

Together, we can make a HUGE difference in alleviating hunger

***

Volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul

Ethel Luzario, Co-Founder of The 3000 Club reports –

On August 23, 2008 at 7:30 a.m. and armed with a cup of coffee from QT, I drove to St. Vincent de Paul to join my fellow Lions from the Phoenix Phil-Am Lions Club to do volunteer work. I have been a Lions member since 1998 and was its President from July 2007 to June 2008. Volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul is just one of the many activities that our Club is involved in.

For this particular day, we have been requested to slice and line up the hams, cut up carrots, prepare the sandwiches and cut up the melons. Our team of 13 volunteers has moved to different working stations!

Our team of three started the chores with me in-charge of lining up the sliced ham while the other two took charge of taking out the plastic wrap and slicing up the ham. I lost count of the number of hams I’ve lined over in a plastic sheet, rows of six and lines of four!

Next chore was the slicing of the honeydew melons, and this is where it hit me. While we in The 3000 Club, are talking about being able to rescue produce that is even up to 50% good and repackage prior to distribution to the different food banks and pantries, there were so many melons that I had to throw away because they had mold! The sight truly hit me and made me even more proud of my role as Co-Founder of The 3000 Club.

For anyone interested in volunteering at St. Vincent de Paul, the next schedule is on October 4, 2008 from 8 to 11:00 a.m. Please send me an email at ethel@the3000club.org if you’re interested in volunteering.