Feds Feed Families Across America

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Navy and Marine personnel from the national capital region (NCR) and around the fleet are aiming to collect nearly 400,000 pounds of food for the fourth annual Feds Feed Families campaign.

"Feds Feed Families is a charitable campaign that is led by the Office of Personnel Management. Federal agencies participate by donating canned goods and non-perishable food items to those in need," said Lt. Thea Lopez, Department of the Navy component champion for Feds Feed Families.

"This year's goal for the Department of Defense is 1.5 million pounds, and within the department of the Navy, it is 396,000 pounds," Lopez added.

Although all non-perishable goods are appreciated, there are 12 items that appear on the campaign's "most wanted" list, indicating that they're in high demand. These items include canned fruit in light syrup or its own juices, low sodium canned vegetables, multi-grain cereals, grains such as brown rice, canned proteins, soups, 100 percent juices, condiments, snacks, baking goods and hygiene items.

"Being in the Armed Forces, we've already dedicated our lives to selfless service, so what we're doing with Feds Feed Families is doing for America what we do for other countries - giving back and providing food and other services of that nature," said Staff Sgt. Christopher Brennan, administrative chief, Special Staff Marine Corps Installation Command and Feds Feed Families volunteer. "To be able to give back is mutually beneficial for both us, as service members and the families we help. It feels great."

Separate donation boxes for canned and boxed goods have been placed around the Pentagon's corridors as well as at all military and federal installations in the area. Outside the NCR, on Navy and Marine bases as well as ships, personnel can donate to their local chaplain's office whose staff will then coordinate with local food banks.

"The need is not going away," said John Berry, director, Office of Personnel Management. "In too many families, one or both parents are still searching for work. Children are now out of school, and so they aren't benefiting from school nutrition programs. The need is even greater throughout our country this year."

For more information, visit www.navy.mil, www.facebook.com/usnavy, or www.twitter.com/usnavy.