JBM-HH collects food for the needy through Feds Feed Families

By Guv Callahan, Pentagram Staff WriterJuly 8, 2015

JBM-HH collects food for the needy through Feds Feed Families
One of several drop-off locations on the Fort Myer portion of JBM-HH for the annual Feds Feed Families campaign located in the Commissary. Like last year, the Commissary on the Fort Myer Portion of the joint base will also be selling prepackaged brow... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall is once again participating in the Feds Feed Families campaign, helping to collect nonperishable food items and hygiene products for donation to local food banks.

The food drive began June 1 and will continue through Aug. 31. Employees can bring donations to one of several drop-off locations on the Fort Myer portion of the joint base: The Commissary - Building 523, the Fitness Center - Building 414, the Exchange - Building 450, and Buildings 202, 203, 205, 417 and 59.

On the Fort McNair portion of the joint base, bring nonperishable food items to National Defense University, Marshall Hall - Building 62, National War College - Building 61, Dwight D. Eisenhower School - Building 59, Lincoln Hall - Building 64, Inter-American Defense College - Building 50, Military District of Washington Headquarters - Building 39, the Shoppette - Building 43, the State Department Federal Credit Union - Building 41, and the Fitness Center - Building 69.

Like last year, the Commissary on the Fort Myer Portion of the joint base will also sell prepackaged brown bags filled with items selected from the program's most-needed list.

"We have bigger, more prominent displays for the $10 bags," said Gilda Davis, JBM-HH commissary secretary. "We also have drop buckets for folks donating one or two items."

But Davis noted that she's seen people go above and beyond since the program opened. Customers have been filling up bags much larger than the $10 option on their own, with some receipts totaling near $100, she said.

According to Davis, the Commissary has collected 3,057 pounds of food so far.

"We're off to a really good start," she said. "We should do really, really well this year."

JBM-HH collections will be donated to the Capital Area Food Bank in Lorton, Virginia, Davis said.

"What's overwhelming to me is that the donations have grown," she said. "I'm sure it means a lot to a lot of people."

Those desiring to add a collection point at a particular building should send an email to usarmy.jbmhh.asa.mbx.dptms-ioc@mail.mil or brian.d.leiby.civ@mail.mil or call 703-696-3291.

Items on the "most-needed" list include: Low-sodium or no salt canned vegetables, canned proteins (tuna, salmon, chicken, beans), canned fruits and soups, condiments, multigrain cereals, individually-packaged snacks and crackers, peanut butter, brown and white rice and pasta.

Families also need 100 percent fruit juices, paper products, cleaning supplies and hygiene items.