MESA, AZ — For centuries, sharing a meal has brought people together, and it's especially true at Superstition Buttes Mobile Home Community.
When a few snowbirds moved out for the season, resident Karen Mata brought their leftovers to some of the seniors who also live there and found many were short on resources. Realizing their limited mobility and increased risk of coronavirus, she worried about how they would get food.
"I worried about my seniors, some of them are 80, 90 years old and they can't go anywhere," said Mata.
She reached out to her nephew who cooks for The Salvation Army Mesa Corps Community Center. After visiting the community to gauge interest in a few meal deliveries, he saw the need was so great he went to the Corps Officer for help.
"It blew up from there, with the help of the residents here it's become a well-oiled machine," said Major Scott Ramsey.
Now Corps volunteers prepare about 85 lunches each weekday for the community. Mata also coordinates more than a half-dozen residents of the park to volunteer to deliver the meals door-to-door to those who can't get around very well.
Among the volunteers is June Rodriguez, who moved to the park with her husband about three years ago from Minnesota. She never realized so many of her neighbors were in such dire situations.
"It's a real eye-opener for me and my husband that there are people in real need," said Rodriguez, "It makes me feel very warm inside that I'm able to help people out."
The Salvation Army is another resource for anyone who may need food assistance. They are also accepting monetary donations online.
