FORT BLISS, Texas--With the sun just barely rising over the mountains, Soldiers of 5th Armored Brigade, First Army Division West warmed up in preparation for Fort Bliss' Post Holiday Food Drive Run Nov. 21. Soldiers spent the last couple months collecting canned food and toys for less fortunate families. Soldiers participated in "dress down Fridays" during November to raise money for the Armed Services Young Men's Christian Association, that no one would go hungry during the Thanksgiving season.
Master Sgt. Abraham Cruz, 5th Armored Brigade Operations Sergeant arranged the food drive for 5th Armored Brigade and set up the food to display for the run.
"It's always nice to contribute to our own, and in a time of economic crisis, it is more important to give to Soldiers and their families," said Cruz.
Cruz said 5th Armored Brigade Soldiers donated more than 350 pounds of canned goods exceeding the recommended 250 pounds of canned goods.
First Sgt. Arthur J. Lopez said this holiday food run is for our junior enlisted Soldiers.
"It's about taking care of our Soldiers so they have a Thanksgiving this holiday season," said Lopez. "Taking care of Soldiers is our first priority."
The pallets of food set up holding the donations was overflowing and stood as a testament of how much 5th Armored Brigade Soldiers believe in the season of giving.
After a long formation of Soldiers, it was time for 5th Armored Brigade to start their run led by Col. Francis V. Sherman, Jr. and Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph E. Stout. The route was approximately four miles long and in the middle of the run, Sherman presented Jose Melendez, Jr., Executive Director of the Armed Services YMCA, with a check for $440.
The food and money donated will be distributed to military families who are in need. The Armed Services YMCA also makes turkey baskets to be handed out to families so that they have food for Thanksgiving and Christmas.
"We've been doing this for more than 15 years," said Jose Melendez, Jr., "We want everyone to have a good Thanksgiving, especially our military families."
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