Feds Feed Families

Airmen from the 844th Communications Group and Air Force District of Washington Communications directorate demonstrate items which can be donated to the Capital Area Food Bank boxes, located throughout Joint Base Andrews, Md. and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington D.C. Air Force District of Washington leaders have made 15,000 pounds of donated goods the goal for all combined AFDW units. To date, 1,500 have been collected. The deadline for all is August 31. (Photo by Ben Newell)

Serving the community that supports us

Published July 25, 2011
By Angela Varga
Air Force District of Washington Public Affairs

Washington, D.C. -- Feds Feed Families is an annual food drive that serves to collect nonperishable donations and distribute them to families in need across the nation.

White boxes labeled "Capital Area Food Bank" are located in nearly every building in military installations across the National Capital Region, including base exchanges and commissaries, making purchasing and donating a one-stop-trip.

Donations are collected monthly. The next pick-up date is July 26; the food drive runs until August 31. Individual donations - even a single can - help AFDW reach and exceed its goal to feed families in need.

"We're far from our goal. We've collected around forty-two hundred pounds," said project coordinator Lt. Emily Allen, 11th Wing Comptroller Squadron, Joint Base Andrews, Md. This year, AFDW hopes to collect 15,000 pounds of nonperishable donations.

According to officials, people are more likely to donate during the holiday and winter seasons because people assume the cold season is when hunger strikes. Not so, according to Capital Area Food bank statistics - food banks struggle to replenish goods during summer. Underprivileged families around the NCR need help most during this time.

"Donating gives us a chance to serve the community that supports us," said Allen.
To help reach the 15,000 pound goal, marked bins are located in the entrances of participating federal buildings. Bins are emptied regularly, but if they are full it is okay to leave donations next to the collection bins.

Items donated go to the Capital Food Bank, and then donations are distributed to families across the National Capital Region.

The food bank's most wanted items include the following:
-- Canned fruits: in light syrup or its own juices
-- Canned vegetables: low sodium, no salt added
-- Multigrain cereal: cheerios, cornflakes, grapenuts, raisin bran
-- Grains: brown and white rice, oatmeal, bulgur, quinoa, couscous, pasta, macaroni and cheese
-- Canned proteins: tuna, salmon, chicken, peanut butter, beans
-- Soups: beef stew, chili, chicken noodle, turkey rice
-- One-hundred percent juice: all sizes, including juice boxes
-- Condiments: tomato based sauces, light soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing, oils
-- Snacks: individually packed snacks, crackers, trail mix, dried fruit, granola and cereal bars, pretzels, sandwich crackers
-- Paper products and household items: paper towels, napkins, cleaning supplies
-- Hygiene items: diapers, deodorants for men and women, feminine products, toilet paper, tissues, soap, toothpaste, shampoo

For more information, visit http://fedsfeedfamilies.gov/index.aspx.