Ward members -

As many of you know, we pick up food donations from Whole Foods seven days a week, and Sister JoAnne Lawlor coordinates that process. We're doing fine on the weekdays, but she needs two or three more people who can do the pickup on Saturdays, and can sub on Sunday if needed. If you can help, please let Sister Lawlor know at jal_573@yahoo.com so she can talk with you about it individually, and answer any questions you may have.

As a preview, here's what is involved in the food pickup process:

- The Whole Foods store is at Hamilton and Bascom, and you would be bringing the food to the Cherry Building.

- Someone who has done it before would go with you the first time, both to show you the process and to show the WF employees that you're legit.

- You need to be able to lift and carry up to 15-20 lbs. The boxes of bread, etc., aren't always that heavy, but sometimes they are.

- You need to have at least a sedan-sized car, and an SUV is better. Having a plastic bin or two for some of the food would be helpful.

- You need to arrive at the store by about 7:45, or a little earlier. The bread and deli items will be outside in carts, and once you have loaded those, it will almost certainly be 8:00, and the store will be open. Then you will go inside and go to the very back to the meat counter and ask if there is any meat. More often than not, there isn't, but they want us to check--and obviously, if there is meat, we want to get it.

- Then you will drive over to the Church and come around to the back door of the kitchen. Sister Lawlor will meet you there, we will unload your car, and you will head for home.

- Not counting your home to WF and Church to home travel times, the whole thing takes maybe 45 minutes.

- The person who coordinates the weekend pickups for Sister Lawlor has a Google docs signup page, and if you indicate an interest in doing this, that info will be sent to you. Then I just ask that you commit to: (1) Check it every single week and (2) sign up to do the pickup whenever you can, helping to make sure that every Saturday is covered. (And if the Sunday person needs a sub, she will have some names to check with.)

Thank you for all you do to serve the ward and our community. This is a great opportunity to reach those in need.

Kind regards,

Rose Garden Bishopric