On April 1, a Spring Celebration drive-up event was held at the Salt River Schools Meal Distribution.

Many Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community departments made the fun event possible, with staff from Salt River Elementary School, the Early Childhood Education Center, Food Services, the Education Board and the Miss Salt River Committee contributing to the festivities.

Cars lined up to receive full-sized game sets, toys, puzzles and books from staff at the Early Childhood Education Center, who also sponsored the balloon arches welcoming the Community to the event.

Miss Salt River Isabella Dockerty handed out cookies and presented the Easter basket raffle; winners were chosen on Facebook Live after the event. The Easter Bunny was also on hand to help staff distribute plastic Easter eggs filled with erasers, while Food Services staff made a “Bunny Bait” trail mix, which is a mixture of whole-grain cereal, bunny-shaped graham crackers and marshmallows.  

Food Services Manager Shannon Reina said that it is amazing how all the departments come together to hold these events for the Community. Since the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic on March 17, 2020, Food Services has served more than 94,000 meals via drive-up service.

“We have accomplished so much, and even though it has been difficult, I will be sad when we no longer get to serve drive-up meals,” said Reina.