Chandler Lions Club assist God's Open Hands food pantry

Wanda Nichols Photo MAKING A DIFFERENCE -- Members of the Chandler Lions Club presented a check to God's Open Hands pantry last week. Pictured presenting the check to God's Open Hands president Pat Martin (3rd from left) are (L-R) Chandler Lions Club members Bobby Hopson, Charles Fink, Chandler Lions treasurer Janet Shanks, Chandler Lions president Larry Shanks, John Adkins and Nancy Adkins.

Always endeavoring to make a difference in the lives of others, the Chandler Lions Club presented a check to the God's Open Hands food pantry last week.

"We hold fundraisers throughout the year and return the money back into the community, " Chandler Lions president Larry Shanks said.

God's Open Hands president Pat Martin said from Jan. 1 - Oct. 31, God's Open Hands passed out approximately 3,200 food boxes, that helped to feed about 10,500 people. During this time span, there were 234 families receiving help for the first time.

"Even more families are expected to seek help as the holidays are upon us and the de- mand increases with colder weather," Mrs. Martin said.

The food boxes included about 11,000 cans of soup, 12,000 packages of Ramen-type noodles, over 70,000 cans of vegetables, fruits and canned meat, 8,000 pasta products, over 4,000 loaves of bread, over 4,000 boxes of cereal, and more than 4,000 cans of fruit juice. Also included in the boxes are flour, sugar, corn meal, rice, beans, cooking oil, peanut butter, jelly, canned or shelf stable milk products, dessert items, salad dressings, crackers, cookies, snack items, coffee, tea, and assorted other items as available.

"God's Open Hands is operated by volun- teers, with no paid personnel. All donations and contributions go solely for the support of the organization," Mrs. Martin said. "Thank you to the communities, churches, schools, civic organizations, and individuals who make it possible for us to operate."

Christmas holiday plans for the Lions Club includes distributing Christmas baskets through God's Open Hands.

Chandler Lions Club donations are made possible through numerous fundraisers held throughout the year including the ongoing collection of aluminum cans. Receptacles to collect the cans have been placed throughout the Chandler community.

The Lions will hold the drawing for a Remington 870 12-gauge shot gun they have been raffling during their board meeting Friday, Dec. 1 at noon at Coffee Landing. You need not be present to win.

The Chandler Lions Club meets every first and third Tuesday of the month in the Chandler Community Center at 7pm. Meetings consist of dinner, meeting and a program. Anyone interested in giving back to the community through the Lions organization is invited to attend.