MARINE CORPS LOGISTICS BASE ALBANY -- Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany and Defense Commissary Agency officials are once again teaming up to support the annual “Feds Feed Families” campaign, which is scheduled to end Aug. 31.
William Easter, store manager, MCLB Albany Commissary, said the 2016 “Feds Feed Families” campaign is on track for another successful year.
“Commissary patrons have an opportunity to purchase pre-made bag of canned goods with products ranging from vegetables and tuna to noodles and soups,” Easter said. “We have five assorted bags customers can choose from at a cost of $5 per bag.”
Easter added this is his first year being involved in the program that will help needy families off base.
“It feels great to provide a program such as this one, but it’s the customers -- the active duty and retired military members and their family members -- that come in and make that donation out of their own free will,” he added. “The holidays are coming up, so I believe the food from the campaign with greatly contribute to helping those that don’t have food throughout the holidays. It makes me feel good that we can contribute to the community.”
Only authorized shoppers can purchase the pre-made bags, according to Easter.
The process for patrons to purchase a bag has been made easy. Pre-made bags, with pictures of its contents, are located at each checkout counter.
“Once purchased, the patron can drop off their donation in a bin at the exit before leaving the Commissary,” he said.
Easter said Tan Poulitt, front end supervisor, Commissary, has selected various items from the Commissary’s overstock to fill the bags for purchase.
“She makes it a fun competition for the front-end cashiers to get more involved interacting with the customers,” he said.
The donations will be distributed to the Second Harvest Food Bank of South Georgia in Albany, Georgia.
Easter said the MCLB Albany Commissary collected nearly 380 pounds of food, worth about $1,900 during the 2015 campaign.
“We are about half way there,” he added. “So far this year, we have collected about 190 pounds of food, which is worth almost $1,000.”
According to a Defense Commissary Agency news release, the campaign was created as a part of President Barack Obama's United We Serve campaign in 2009. The program was started to help food banks stay stocked throughout the summer, when they typically see fewer donations and increased demand.
The news release further state that almost 57.2 million pounds of food and other items have been donated by federal employees from all across the federal government.
In addition to purchasing pre-made bags, patrons can also drop off other food and personal items at the Commissary.
The most-needed items include:
* Canned fruits - in light syrup or its own juices
* Canned proteins - tuna, salmon, chicken, peanut butter and beans
* Canned vegetables - low sodium, no salt
* Condiments - tomato-based sauces, light soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing or oils
* Grains - brown and white rice, oatmeal, bulgar, quinoa, couscous, pasta, and macaroni and cheese
* Hygiene items - diapers, deodorants (men and women), feminine products, toilet paper, tissues, soap, toothpaste and shampoo
* Multigrain cereal
* Paper products and household items - paper towels, napkins and cleaning supplies
* Snacks - individually-packed snacks, crackers, trail mix, dried fruit, granola, cereal bars, pretzels and sandwich crackers
* Soups - beef stew, chili, chicken noodle, turkey or rice
* 100 percent juice - all sizes, including juice boxes
For more information about Feds Feed Families or to donate, call the Commissary at 229-435-1721.