Pendleton kicks off Feds Feed Families food drive

CAMP PENDLETON — The Office of Personnel Management recently kicked off its annual Feds Feed Families food drive, in an effort to end hunger across the country.
The Feds Feed Families food drive, an initiative approved by President Barrack Obama, first began in 2009 by asking all Americans to take part in our nation’s economic recovery.
Since then, the program has gathered nearly 3 million pounds of nonperishable food throughout the country to give to those less fortunate.
“It’s very important that we receive as much help as we can,” said Scott Hill, manager, Pacific Plaza Commissary, Camp Pendleton. “The goal is to raise 2 million pounds, and as long as everyone participates, I’m sure we can hit that number.”
The food drive accumulated a total of 1.7 million pounds of donated goods throughout all DoD installations last year.
Those looking to participate in the food drive should donate items such as:
— Canned fruits and vegetables
— Multigrain cereal
— Grains like rice, oatmeal and pasta
— Proteins like tuna, chicken and peanut butter
— Soups
— Paper products
— Household and hygiene items.
Camp Pendleton’s Pacific Plaza Commissary has already accumulated at least 1,600 pounds of donations at its location, according to Jim Seaman, an employee with Southwest Region Fleet Transportation, who is in charge of transporting donations from the base’s commissaries.
“The amount of donations we received last year was astonishing,” said Seaman. “I’m sure we can beat last year’s weight as long as we all come
together and help those who are having trouble.”
From now through August, those looking to donate can do so by visiting any military commissary located within the U.S. or any installation exchanges.
For more information regarding the Feds Feed Families food drive, visit http://www.fedsfeedfamilies.gov/ or contact Master Sgt. Terence Seymour, Camp Pendleton’ food drive coordinator at 760-725-1779.