Photo By Janecze Wright | Soldiers work together to load a trunk with fresh produce at the Fresh Food For...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas — In the wake of the longest government shutdown on record, the Fort Hood Religious Support Office’s Fresh Food for Families drive-thru food pantry provided vital support to those affected by food insecurity. Vehicles lined up by the hundreds for donations of fresh produce, eggs, pantry staples and other food items courtesy of the Central Texas Food Bank.
The event was part of the RSO’s efforts to ramp up its monthly support with weekly food distribution events to accommodate the growing need of those impacted by the government shutdown and experiencing food insecurity — filling their vehicles with groceries.
“We’ve been doing this every month, but especially during the government shutdown because we realized that need of more additional food distribution,” explained Chaplain (Maj.) John Lee, operations chaplain, Fort Hood RSO. “Many suffer from the financial problems of the situation, so by providing the food distribution, this is a way to show our support and make a great impact helping the Soldiers and families during this time,” he said.
Whitehouse.gov reports approximately 218,000 employees — 1.6% of the Texas workforce — were furloughed or working without pay during the shutdown. Greta Buccellato, Fort Hood deputy to the garrison commander, reported 30% of the installation’s workforce was impacted by the government shutdown. The lack of appropriations, compounded by the issue of food insecurity, amplified the significance of the food distribution events.
To accommodate the swelling number of patrons, the RSO leaned heavily on nearly 200 volunteers for help. “Without them, nothing would happen, so we really appreciate our volunteers,” Lee expressed. The RSO held five donation events throughout the shutdown, which lasted from Oct. 1-Nov. 12, providing nearly 4,000 Soldiers and families with approximately 74,500 pounds of food, said Michael Miles, Food Security Program specialist, Fort Hood RSO.
“It’s coming together and taking care of our family, which is our Soldiers and our Soldiers’ families, and our DA (Department of the Army) civilians and anybody who has access to the post,” Miles expressed. “It is very important, especially during this time when there’s a lack of appropriations and they’re not getting paid.
“It’s very important that we reach out and we connect with our partners at Central Texas Food Bank to provide these extra distributions in order to keep our families fed,” Miles added. “So, that’s one less thing that our Soldiers and DA civilians have to worry about during this time.”
Volunteer Ari Pry has been instrumental in facilitating the distribution events since their inception, sharing this event was especially poignant.
“It was unreal to see the amount of food we’re donating and the amount of people that are coming through,” she said. “Until you see that you’re putting food in the back of a car with a baby in there that’s been waiting there since 6:30 a.m., it gives you goosebumps; it brings reality. It’s impacting not only the people that are receiving, but the people that are giving. It makes you part of the solution, instead of just pointing at a problem.”
Twenty Soldiers from the Fort Hood Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program helped organize, gather and load food into trunks, truck beds and back seats.
“One of the pillars of the BOSS program is community service, and that’s for all Soldiers,” said Spc. Joshua Enser, BOSS president. “This event is very impactful, especially for military families with this elongated shutdown period. We’re thankful for unit leadership allowing Soldiers to volunteer and come participate and make a difference for the Fort Hood community.”
The next Fresh Food for Families event is scheduled for Dec. 4. Contact the Religious Support Office at 254-286-5884 for more information.
| Date Taken: | 11.20.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 11.26.2025 16:01 |
| Story ID: | 552067 |
| Location: | TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 8 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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