JFHQ-NCR/MDW Supports Feds Feed Families Campaign

By Mr George Markfelder (JFHQNCRMDW)August 31, 2011

JFHQ-NCR/MDW Supports Feds Feed Families Campaign
Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) 529th Regimental Support Company, Pvt. Charles Caparoso and Spec. Anthony Page, collect one of five JFHQ-NCR/MDW food donation boxes from Fort McNair during the Feds Feed Families campaign final... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) 529th Regimental Support Company gathered boxes of donated food and toiletry items from Fort McNair and 35 other locations throughout the National Capital Region (NCR) in support of the Feds Feed Families campaign, Aug. 31, 2011. Overall, the Department of Defense (DOD) units will pick-up boxes from more than 160 locations in the area.

The Soldiers have picked up 44, 653 pounds of food or toiletry items and traveled over 612 miles in the NCR while supporting the campaign since 27 June.

"We will work at this all day from 0700 to 1700 and maybe tomorrow as well," said Spec. Anthony Page, a Soldier assigned to the 529th. "During last month's pickups it took us three days but it's something different to do and it helps the community."

According to Russell Blevins, an Operations Specialist at the Joint Force Headquarters - National Capital Region/U.S. Army Military District of Washington (JFHQ-NCR/MDW), DOD played a leading role in support of the nationwide campaign challenging federal employees to donate to local food pantries. Blevins said the JFHQ-NCR/MDW is the lead DOD coordinator/planner for the campaign in the NCR and coordinates with the Office of Personnel Management, the Pentagon, Air Force, Marines, DC National Guard and other local government agencies for pick-ups and drop-offs at local area food banks or GSA warehouses distribution centers.

For the past two years, DOD officials have participated locally in the NCR, collecting nonperishable items and distributing them -- thousands of pounds worth -- to regional food pantries.