Local Santa Maria and Orcutt Lions Clubs will be collecting used eyeglasses and other items Saturday, March 17, as part of the fourth annual Lions Eyes Across California campaign.

Donations may be dropped off in the Trader Joe’s/Michaels Shopping Center outside the old Costco building, 1335 South Bradley, in Santa Maria, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The glasses will be sorted by the local Lions and then sent to facilities to be refurbished and redistributed to people in need in under-served communities.

Although prescription eyeglasses are the most desirable, reading glasses and prescription sunglasses, and even various parts of glasses, including lenses, are acceptable. Unfortunately, nonprescription sunglasses cannot be redistributed.

In addition to the used eyeglasses, the Lions will be collecting canned food items. Please bring any healthy unopened retail-sized nonperishable food items that have not expired. Please, no candy, soft drinks, or pet food. This will also be a great opportunity to donate any used hearing aids, cell phones, and ink cartridges/toner you may have lying around the house.

The Santa Maria Noontimers Lions, the Santa Maria Sunrisers Lions, and the Orcutt Lions are joining together for this special project. Each club will have representatives present to answer questions about Lionism and the many services they provide locally.

If you are unable to drop off donations March 17^th, the collection and recycling of used eyeglasses do take place year-round. Collection boxes are located around the city, including most Rabobank locations and many eye doctors’ offices.