In their sixth annual food drive, the combined Rotary Clubs of the Morongo Basin collected 274 bags of food and raised almost $7,000 which will go to seven area agencies. The preliminary figures were released by food drive chairperson Mary Helen Tuttle of Joshua Tree. The drive was held Friday, April 12, from noon until 7 p.m. at the three area Stater Brother’s stores. The agencies receiving funding from the effort are the Way Station, Morongo Basin Food pantry, Twentynine Palms Food pantry, Morongo Basin ARCH, Homelessness 101, Food 4 Life, and the Copper Mountain College 1st year program. Tuttle had praise for the Rotarians involved from Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms, and both the Sunset and Noon Clubs of Yucca Valley, saying, “All of the Rotarians who showed up, no matter how long, deserve a pat on the back. Good Job, Rotarians! I am proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with all of you.” Tuttle said the 2019 food drive had resources left over that will be used for next year’s drive.
