Food Bank Event

9th Annual “Keeping The Dream Alive” Fundraising Event

Ventana Lakes resident, Tony DeMont started collecting nonperishable food items for the Valley View Community Food Bank over 15-years ago. Nine years ago he partnered with resident Kathy Freda and incorporated a fundraising dinner. After Tony passed in 2020, the event was named, “Keeping the Dream Alive” in honor of Tony DeMont.

On Saturday November 16th the 9th annual fundraising event was held at the Sun City Elks Lodge with 101 attendees for a chicken dinner prepared by the Elks. Funds were raised through basket and 50/50 raffles, silent auctions and individual cash donations which resulted in $15,200 being raised. Special note the winner of raffle basket #10, a Money Tree with $220 in cash, and the winner of the $500 cash from the 50/50 purse both promptly donated their cash winnings back to the food bank. In addition, $700 in cornucopia sales was donated to the food bank and there was approximately $450 of in-kind food, hygiene items, clothing and toys collected. Although attendance was down by half from last year, the generosity of all this year resulted in just $1,800 less than last year.

Valley View Community Food Bank Founder and President, Jesse Ramirez was moved by the continued support from his community. Special thanks to the Sun City Elks Lodge Exalted Ruler, Bill Mathews and the Lodge 1st Lady Becky Mathews who were in attendance.  The Sun City Lodge made a $1,500 charitable donation to the food bank. Special thanks to the Ventana Lakes North Park Pool Aerobics Group and the Art Harbor Club for their cash donations

The generosity of the organizers, the residents of Ventana Lakes, and the Sun City Elks working hand-in-hand, helped Valley View Community Food Bank continue their purposeful work.