FORT BELVOIR, Va. –
The annual Feds Feed Families food drive is back, giving people the opportunity to donate food to local food banks and pantries.
Defense Logistics Agency employees can leave nonperishable canned or boxed food donations in marked boxes at pods 1, 7 and 9 on the first floor of the McNamara Headquarters Complex, as well as a box near the main entrance. Donations will go the Capital Area Food Bank.
Employees are also encouraged to look for weekly messages detailing themes and additional campaign information.
Feds Feed Families, a Department of Agriculture program, runs through Sept. 30.
“As Defense Logistics Agency employees, our duty is to support warfighters with what they need when they need it, from fuel to uniforms to food. As concerned citizens, we are called upon to help our neighbors get what they need when times are tough. I know the generous spirit of our workforce will come through again this year for Feds Feed Families, and I thank everyone who chooses to participate,” said DLA Chief of Staff Eric Smith.
In addition to donating food, federal employees can volunteer at a food bank or glean at a farm, which is collecting excess produce for those in need. Information about volunteering is available the Feds Feeds Families website.
Summer can be challenging for the nearly 30 million children who receive free and reduced-priced meals during the school year, according to Feds Feeds Families information. While many of these students rely on the USDA’s summer meal programs, food banks tend to see a decrease in donations but an increase in need during the summer.
Since launching in 2009, Feds Feed Families has collected more than 99 million pounds of food for donation. According to the program, in 2020, about one in seven households with children were food insecure.
For more information, contact Sonya Sierra with DLA Installation Management at 571-767-0735 or sonya.sierra@dla.mil.