FORT BENNING, Ga., (Aug. 19, 2015) -- An Armywide food-donation initiative was launched to fill local food banks during the summer months when they see declines in donations, but the need at the Battle Buddy Resource Center is continuous as they offer aid to Soldiers and their Families year-round.
"We fulfill the intent of Feds Feed Families by doing year-round ministry here with (the BBRC)," said Chaplain (Col.) Thomas Waynick, Fort Benning Garrison Chaplain.
The FFF campaign began July 15 and will run through Oct. 2. The campaign kicked off nationally at the USDA Headquarters in Washington, D.C. Since 2009, the FFF food drive has collected nearly 39 million pounds of food for those in need.
In 2014, more than 14.8 million pounds were collected by FFR and donated to food banks and pantries.
In Washington, D.C., the Capital Area Food Bank receives collections and distributes them through its network of more than 500 partner organizations.
The Battle Buddy Resource Center is a Fort Benning food bank sponsored by 194th Armored Brigade and the Chaplaincy.
It is supported by numerous units, organizations and businesses within the Fort Benning and surrounding community who help with donations, packing food and keeping the BBRC up and running.
"It's really a community-wide effort and it's really under the umbrella of the (Commanding General of the Maneuver Center of Excellence Maj. Gen. Scott Miller)'s lines of effort: taking care of Families," Waynick said. "This is a way that Fort Benning takes care of its own."
The center began as a vision of Katie McMaster, a group of volunteers and the support of the military community - with a mission "to combat hunger by providing food assistance to Fort Benning Soldiers and their Families."
Kenny Stevens, a BBRC director, said the BBRC can help Families who recently received a permanent change of station to Fort Benning, single parents, Soldiers or Families experiencing sudden financial difficulty or having been through a tragedy.
The BBRC is 100 percent confidential, said Amy Mason, BBRC pantry manager. The BBRC has pre-packed bags for Families of one to two as well as Families of three to four, and can accommodate larger Families if needed, said Cindy Stevens, a BBRC director.
They have started packing their holiday meal bags 150 for Thanksgiving and 150 for Christmas - for Soldiers and Families to pick up Cindy Stevens said. Those in need are encouraged to speak with their unit chaplain to determine their eligibility for the holiday meals.
The BBRC is open Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Wednesdays from 4-6 p.m. and Thursdays from 12:30-2:30 p.m. They also are available by appointment.
For information, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/fortbenningbbrc or email the center at battlebuddyresourcecenter@gmail.com.
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