This month, we are partnering with St. Mary’s Food Bank to collect non-perishable food items for the holiday season. St. Mary’s Food Bank was founded in 1967 when a mother stated to the founder, John Van Hengel, that soup kitchens and grocery store dumpsters were the only way she could feed her children.  The concept of a food bank was born; wherein individuals and companies with excess money and food could “deposit” it and those in need could “withdraw” it. Toscana of Desert Ridge will be placing donation boxes in both the Palazzo Centro and Palazzo Grande clubhouses. Residents who donate will receive a raffle ticket for each food item donated and a winner will be announced on Friday, November 21 during Toscana’s Annual Thanksgiving Potluck – residents do not have to be present to win.