DOD Sets Food Donation Goal at 1.5 Million Pounds

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, June 20, 2012 – “Feds Feed Families,” now in its fourth year, is under way through August, and the Defense Department encourages military and civilian employees to participate by donating nonperishable food.

The food drive accepts items for distribution to local food banks. In a memorandum, Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton B. Carter said DOD will again expand its collection campaign to a nationwide level by donating to food banks across the country.

“The tremendous success of the 2011 food drive was a credit to the exemplary efforts of all of you and your staffs,” Carter’s memo reads. “Running a successful campaign requires a team effort, and leadership support is critical. ‘Feds Feed Families’ allows us to showcase how caring and giving our people are, and demonstrates our commitment as a department to helping those in need.”

Defense officials called last year’s food drive overwhelmingly successful. Food donations across the federal government totaled 5.7 million pounds -- nearly three times the goal of 2 million pounds. DOD alone exceeded its goal of 733,800 pounds, officials said.

DOD this year is striving for 1.5 million pounds of food donations for nationwide distribution, more than twice last year's goal. It represents an average of 2 pounds of food per civilian employee.

The goals for the service branches are: Army, 562,000 pounds; Navy, 396,000 pounds; Air Force, 348,000 pounds; and Office of the Secretary of Defense and Office of the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff agencies and activities, 194,000 pounds.

In his memo, the deputy secretary encourages support with the following tasks:

-- Military services, Defense agencies and field activities are tasked with arranging logistical support for June 26-27, July 24-25, and Aug. 28-29.

-- A "component champion" will be appointed to represent each component to coordinate with organization representatives, and “lead the call” for donations.

-- Employees are asked to encourage others to donate nonperishable food.

The Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service is managing the food drive for DOD. For more information, contact Aimee Scanlon at fedsfeedfamilies@cpms.osd.mil or 703-696-4741.