Hurlburt kicks off 'Feds Feed Families' campaign

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Eboni Reams
  • 1st Special Operations Public Affairs
HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. --  Hurlburt Field kicks off the Feds Feed Families food drive at the base commissary July 13 through Aug. 24.

Hurlburt Airman's Voice is coordinating this year's campaign to donate non-perishables to the local community. Donations can be made through designated squadron points of contact or at collection bins at the commissary placed at the entrances and exits.

"There are seven different varieties of food bags that customers can purchase including two bags specifically for pets," said Jack Spence, director of the Hurlburt Field base commissary. "The bags are available at every queue for easy pick-up."

Feds Feed Families is a campaign established to collect non-perishable food for families in need in the local area. The national goal for this year is 1.5 million pounds. For Hurlburt Field, the goal is to collect a minimum of 2,500 pounds.

"Last year, Hurlburt Field donated 3,500 pounds," said Airman 1st Class Rayna Yamamoto, a technician of 1st Special Operation Communications Squadron computer security accountant and base POC for the campaign. "If each junior enlisted on Hurlburt Field just donates one pound, then the base would easily beat this year's minimum."

This year donating is made easier and more convenient to potential givers.

"The commissary is selling $10 bags of food for donation," Yamamoto said. "After the collection is done, the food will be donated to the Bay Area Food Bank with the last week's donations going to a local domestic violence center."

As the POC for the campaign this year, Yamamoto said this project is about more than organizing.

"My earliest childhood memories include going through the kitchen cabinets to find canned goods to donate to a family who may not have enough to eat," Yamamoto said. "My siblings and I always donated when we were little."

The Office of Personnel Management informed the various departments that "Feds Feed Families" allows the Department of Defense to showcase how caring and giving government officials are and demonstrates the Department's commitment to helping those in need.

Below is a list of the most needed items: 
  • Canned vegetables - low sodium, no salt 
  • Canned fruits - in light syrup or natural 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
For more information about the Feds Feed Families program, visit the Hurlburt Field commissary, go to www.commissaries.com or visit http://www.fedsfeedfamilies.gov/index.aspx. For information on how to donate, contact Yamamoto at 884-5666 or your unit's campaign POC.