Feds Feeds Families campaign concludes

Photo By Lance Cpl. Andrea Cleopatra Dickerson | Elaine Taylor, a volunteer for the Feds Feed Families campaign, delivers food items donated by members of the Cherry Point community to the Living Waters Ministry Center food bank Aug. 31. During the campaign, the community raised more than three tons of food. The food drive's goal was to assist food banks with shortages they experience during the summer months as children are left without school nutrition programs.  

HAVELOCK, NC, UNITED STATES

09.07.2012

Story by Lance Cpl. Andrea Cleopatra Dickerson 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

HAVELOCK, N.C. - For the past two years, the Feds Feeds Families food drive conducted by Marines, Sailors and community members aboard the air station has collected and distributed thousands of pounds of non-perishable food items to a local food bank.

Feds Feeds Families is a federal program established by President Obama, said Kerry Stratton, the food drive coordinator. "It encourages federal employees to donate dry goods and other items to their local community during times like these, especially with a lot of people experiencing economic hardships."

The campaign runs annually during the summer months, said Stratton.

"During the summer when school is out, a lot of less fortunate families have to make some tough choices because they don't have the school meal programs to assist them with putting food on their tables," he said.

The Cherry Point community donated more than three tons of food this summer.

Cherry Point families and surrounding community members benefit from the donations, which are given to the Living Waters Ministry Center food bank for distribution. Stratton said more than 100 families have benefited from the food drive each week during the campaign.

The yearly campaign helps further strengthen the bond between Cherry Point and the surrounding communities, Stratton said.

"Federal employees prove year after year they enjoy giving back to the community and people have really responded well. The staff at Living Waters said the contributions they receive from Cherry Point helps their food shelter provide aid to the community."

Stratton noted that this year's contributions were more than double the amount collected last year.

Five Marines and two civilian volunteers rallied together and put in a tremendous amount of personal time and effort to make the drive successful, he said.

"I would like to thank the commanding officer, Col. Zimmerman, for his support," said Stratton, "along with MCCS (Marine Corps Community Services). Together they have collectively helped the program flourish. I look forward to the future growth of the food drive."

Although this year's food drive has concluded, Stratton emphasized the need to keep giving back, especially going into the winter months with several holidays right around the corner.

"If you are able to donate year round, it is vital to continue to give back to the community," he said. "This is a year-round need, and it always will be."

• Date Taken: 09.07.2012
• Date Posted: 09.07.2012 15:05
• Story ID: 94381
• Location: HAVELOCK, NC, US