Commissaries are once again playing a key role as government agencies and organizations across the United States support the 2012 Feds Feed Families food drive campaign, which runs through Aug. 31.
Military customers and federal employees can donate nonperishable food and personal hygiene items to the campaign using marked bins located at the entries or exits of participating commissaries. Donations to the program help charitable organizations such as the local food bank.
“In this tough economy, sometimes it’s hard to make ends meet,” said DeCA Director and CEO Joseph H. Jeu. “More people than ever before are using food banks, which are struggling to meet the demand. This food drive is an extra boost to keep families fed.”
“The purpose of this food drive is to collect non-perishable food,” said Senior Airman Kuma Kumsa, 412th Comptroller Squadron and a POC for the this year’s campaign. “We will be setting collection points at the Commissary as well as individual collection bins throughout the installation.”
The first pickup was July 25 at the Commissary and donations were delivered to the Grace Resource Center in Lancaster, Calif.
Last year, 770,000 pounds of foodstuffs were donated at various commissary locations. The DoD 2012 Feds Feed Families campaign has set its goal at 1.5 million pounds.
The most needed items for donations include:
- Canned vegetables – low sodium, no salt
- Canned fruits – in light syrup or its own juices
- Canned proteins – tuna, salmon, chicken, peanut butter and beans
- Soups – beef stew, chili, chicken noodle, turkey or rice
- Condiments – tomato-based sauces, light soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing or oils
- Snacks – individually packed snacks, crackers, trail mix, dried fruit, granola and cereal bars, pretzels and sandwich crackers
- Multigrain cereal
- 100 percent juice – all sizes, including juice boxes
- Grains – brown and white rice, oatmeal, bulgar, quinoa, couscous, pasta, and macaroni and cheese
- Paper products and household items – paper towels, napkins, cleaning supplies
- Hygiene items – diapers, deodorants (men and women), feminine products, toilet paper, tissues, soap, toothpaste and shampoo
The Feds Feed Families food drive campaign grew out of the Serve America Act that created “United We Serve,” an initiative that urged Americans to contribute to the nation’s economic recovery by helping their communities. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Chief Human Capital Council are managing the campaign. Commissary participation is tied to its local installation’s ability to provide support to pick up and deliver the donated items.
“DeCA’s customers and employees can and will make a difference in the lives of the children and families dealing with hunger,” Jeu said.
For more information on Edwards AFB Feds Feed Families campaign, call Tech. Sgt. Philip Lucas at (661) 277-3040 or Senior Airman Kuma Kumsa at (661) 227-8456.
