FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSEDOD Employees Collect Food for the Hungry
By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 15, 2012 - Defense Department employees are doing their best to feed those in the National Capital Region who go hungry, and a federal program that collects food donations was recognized at the Pentagon today.
Through August, the government-wide "Feds Feed Families" campaign, now in its fourth year, is helping to feed families in Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia. It is part of a nationwide program that provides food to 3.9 million people.
At today's event, Capital Area Food Bank operations chief Mark McCaffrey thanked Pentagon employees for their donations, saying it was in keeping with their role as public servants. The food bank collects items for about 700 different organizations throughout the region.
"One in two children in the area are food insecure," McCaffrey said. The need is especially acute in the summer, as many of the children's only good meal each day is served as part of the school lunch program.
And the military is not immune. Last year, the food bank established a food pantry truck at Fort Belvoir, Va., that now serves 250 families, McCaffrey said.
DOD employees at many bases and posts are holding similar food drives.
The Pentagon effort has already collected 969,000 pounds of non-perishable foodstuffs, said Paige Hinkle-Bowles, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for civilian personnel policy.
"I have no doubt we will be able to raise our goal of 1.5 million pounds by the end of the month," Hinkle-Bowles said.
