A fruit sale will take place this week in the East Hills Shopping Center parking lot to benefit the Downtown St. Joseph Host Lions Club.

“One of our most popular items is our fruit baskets.  We sell a variety of baskets,” said Brad Campbell with the Lions Club.  “A lot of businesses use those as company gifts, a lot of our customers use them just as Christmas gifts for their family and friends.”

The sale will open Friday, Dec. 9 and run through Sunday, Dec. 18.  The Host Lions will have their trailer set up on the south side of the East Hills Shopping Center parking lot along Woodbine Rd. next to the St. Joseph Public Library. Doors will be open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.

Campbell said customers can buy Sunkist Navel oranges, Sage Premium Red Delicious apples, Sage Premium Golden Delicious apples, Sage Premium Gala apples and Texas Sunkist grapefruit.  The fruit is available by the case or mixed cases.

“Believe it or not the Lions Club likes it to be colder rather than warmer for the fruit sale.  The reason why is the colder it is the more people seem to come out and buy cases of fruit for some reason,” Campbell said.  “As long as the streets are clear and there’s no ice we don’t mind a little bit of snow in the area.”

Cases of apples are $45, citrus cases are $36 and mixed fruit baskets are $25. Campbell said the Lions Club will deliver orders during the event if someone can’t make it out.

Proceeds from the fruit sale benefit the Lions Club in their continuing mission for eye research, optical assistance for those in need, and overall sight health.

For more information, contact either Brad Campbell at (816) 262-9998, or Barbie Squires (816) 294-0961.