Local groups organize water drives for less fortunate

Residents in two Northwest Valley communities recently organized water drives to make sure the less fortunate have enough water to drink during these hot summer months.

Rita Richards, a Corte Bella resident and retired English teacher, said she is grateful for everything she has and wanted to do something for the less fortunate.

Her good intentions have turned into several food and water drives that benefit hundreds, maybe thousands of people.

Along with many of her supportive neighbors in Corte Bella and friends from a Movies and Munchies group, Richards collected 5,100 bottles of water for Southwest Behavioral Health Services, a Phoenix group that helps homeless and people in need.

"It broke my heart," she said. "We've lived here little over two years, and I've never seen such a need for water for the homeless. I felt that something needed to be done. There are so many people in need."

Richards chose the health services group after reading an article about its services in a local newspaper. With the help of many other residents, postings in the master-planned community's Web site and magazine, the collection began to take shape.

Richards said she was amazed at the generosity of so many of her neighbors.

"Their generosity has been totally overwhelming," she said. "I feel so blessed that people will support me in what I'm trying to do. I feel what I'm doing is rewarding, and I'm lucky to have other people willing to help me do it."

Neighbors dropped off water bottles as early as several weeks ago, but the main effort of the drive was June 25, when Richards said more than 3,000 bottles were collected in one day. This latest water drive surpassed her goal of 5,000 bottles and doubled previous efforts.

"It was almost half of a two-car garage," she said.

Representatives from Southwest Behavioral Health Services picked up the bottles June 26.

"I decided this was a wonderful place that needs our help," she said.

Richards said she plans to do another food drive on Halloween and will organize another water drive, likely next May, when she'll shoot for 10,000 bottles.

Another recent water bottle campaign "amazed" Valley View Community Food Bank Director Jesse Ramirez.

The Youngtown food bank was the recipient of 3,080 pounds of water, or about 75 cases, thanks to the efforts of the Shepherd of the Desert Lutheran Church congregation.

In conjunction with the Sun City church's service last weekend based on the Bible verse Matthew 10: 40-42, which focuses on Jesus' teaching of hospitality to his disciples, the congregation was asked to donate bottles of water to help the less fortunate.

Luhleem Davison, a member of the congregation, said despite a large part of the congregation absent for the summer months, the results were surprising.

"I would say a majority of the people who came donated," she said.

The church has long been donating to the nearby food bank, Davison said. Each month, the church collects food items to donate. The water drive, however, was the first such effort and took place at a time of high need, Ramirez said.

"With the situation right now, a lot of people are coming down for food and water," he said. "People were asking for water. It's a real big demand."

The food bank generally serves 45 to 65 families, or about 200 people each day. The added water surplus will help alleviate a growing need, Ramirez said.

"I showed up and they had (all the water) on the altar. You couldn't even see the altar," he said. "I was just so, so surprised that a church would do that. It was a miracle."

To donate, Richards can be reached at richardsrita@hotmail.com. The food bank is always seeking donations. It is at 11115 W. Nevada Ave., and can be reached by calling 623-933-3358.

Erin Turner may be reached at 623-876-2522 or eturner@yourwestvalley.com.