Get the “Whole Enchilada” and Give the Gift of Sight

January 2, 2011—SANTA MARIA, CALIF.—Get the “whole enchilada” from the Santa Maria and Orcutt Lions and help them provide free eye screenings for local school kids. Yes, it’s time for the Lions 30th Annual Enchilada Sale Saturday, January 29, 2011!

Pre-sale orders are being taken now, so be sure to get yours. About 2,300 enchilada trays were sold last year and the Lions plan to sell at least another 2,300 trays this year.

The making of the enchiladas is a true community event, with more than 100 volunteers feverishly working to make over 4,600 enchiladas in less than six hours. The volunteers will use about 650 pounds of cheese; 730 pounds of ground beef; 60 pounds of onions; 24 cases of sauce, and, of course, about 4,600 tortillas.

Each tray has two (2) beef or two (2) cheese enchiladas packaged in a freezable, microwavable tray, and can be purchased for only $6.00 per tray. To order enchilada trays in advance, contact any Lion member, or call Tony Manuel at (805) 937-4363.

Proceeds from this annual tasty fundraising treat benefits the Lions Sight Conservation Foundation which provides free eye screenings for grade school and high school children and provides financial assistance for exams and eyeglasses for those in need.

The Lions will make the enchiladas on Saturday, January 29th at the Santa Maria Elks Lodge, 1309 North Bradley Road. Pre-sale ticket holders and advance phone orders can pick up enchilada trays between 10:30 a.m. and noon. All others can pick up their enchiladas between noon and 1:00 p.m. at the Elks Lodge on a first-come/first-served basis.

In September and October, Lions members tested more than 4,400 children for Vision Acuity at Elementary Schools and High Schools in the Santa Maria and Guadalupe areas. Additionally, working with local eye care providers, the Lions Sight Foundation provided financial assistance for almost 300 eye exams or purchase of eyeglasses.