FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. -- The Fairchild Air Force Base Commissary has teamed up with other U.S. federal agencies to help end hunger in the U.S., by offering pre-filled bags of food for purchase toward feeding the needy and poor via food banks and community pantries.
The pre-made bags sell for $9.75, or patrons can drop off foods of thier choice in predesignated drop boxes near the store exit.
“Our patrons and employees show by their participation how much they value their communities," said Randy Eller, Defense Commissary Agency "Feds Feed Families" manager. "These donations are just one of the ways they help.”
Last year, DeCA donated 1.1 million pounds of needed items, totaling 33 percent of the DoD’s entire donation.
In 2016, the nationwide campaign collected over 12.5 million pounds of food for local food banks and pantries. As of last year the food drive has taken in 69.8 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 agency is looking forward to another successful campaign for this year,” said Eller. “Over 150 commissaries are participating by offering our customers, employees and industry partners a chance to donate to this worthy cause.”
To learn more about the Feds Feed Families campaign please visit the USDA’s Feds Feed Families page.
* Jessica Rouse contributed to this story
-DeCA-
About DeCA: The Defense Commissary Agency operates a worldwide chain of commissaries providing groceries to military personnel, retirees and their families in a safe and secure shopping environment. Commissaries provide a military benefit, saving authorized patrons thousands of dollars annually on their purchases compared to commercial prices when shopping regularly at a commissary. The discounted prices include a 5-percent surcharge, which covers the costs of building new commissaries and modernizing existing ones. A core military family support element, and a valued part of military pay and benefits, commissaries contribute to family readiness, enhance the quality of life for America’s military and their families, and help recruit and retain the best and brightest men and women to serve their country.
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