July 7, 2015 -- Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany’s Commissary is collecting food items for the annual “Feds Feed Families” campaign that runs through Aug. 31.
Donated food items may be dropped off in any of the following boxes — in the Commissary’s entryway, by Building 3500’s Grab n’ Go snack bar, by Building 3500’s command suite, on Building 3700’s first floor, in Marine Depot Maintenance Command’s entryway, in the Naval Branch Health Clinic Albany and in the Distribution Management Center, Building 1121.
“I think this is just one of the many ways we can give back to the community in which we are a part of and call home,” Capt. Justin Jacobs, deputy public affairs officer and the "Feds Feed Families" base representative, said.
“Ensuring our local food banks have the stock to provide families with a meal is really a great contribution,” he added. “It is always humbling to partner with these organizations.”
Authorized patrons who wish to donate may purchase a bag of food items for $5 at the Commissary or donate items from the below list.
The most-needed items for donations include:
• Canned vegetables — low sodium, no salt
• Canned fruits — in light syrup or its own 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 and cleaning supplies
• Hygiene items — diapers, deodorants (men and women), feminine products, toilet paper, tissues, soap, toothpaste and shampoo
MCLB Albany’s Commissary is among others in the U.S. helping collect items most needed by food pantries and then donating them to area food banks.
“This marks our sixth consecutive year participating in this campaign, and what could be better than helping provide food for those in need around us,” Randy Eller, DeCA’s deputy director of logistics, said.
Last year, the Defense Commissary Agency collected almost 1 million pounds of food donated at commissaries and given to area food banks. That represented 30 percent of the Department of Defense’s total “Feds Feed Families” donation.
Many stores featured donation packages provided by commissary vendors for patrons to purchase and donate on the spot.
“2014 was a great campaign year for us,” Eller said. “Our customers should be really proud — a large number of people were helped.”
Since the campaign’s inception in 2009, more than 24 million pounds of food have been donated.
Once the items have been collected, installation officials will work with their commissaries to deliver the items to their local food banks.
“We want to make a difference in the communities surrounding our stores,” Eller said. “Our patrons and employees help us do that.”
This year, no goals have been set, but DOD is urging participants to do their best to top their past donations.
For more information, visit the U.S Department of Agriculture website, www.usda.gov/fedsfeedfamilies.