504th Donates over 3,000lbs. of food

By Sgt. Melissa LessardNovember 22, 2021

Soldiers with 504th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade pose for a photo, Nolanville, Texas, Nov. 19, 2021. The unit doated 3,414 lbs. of non perishable foods to the local food pantry. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Melissa N. Lessard)
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers with 504th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade pose for a photo, Nolanville, Texas, Nov. 19, 2021. The unit doated 3,414 lbs. of non perishable foods to the local food pantry. (U.S. Army Photo by Sgt. Melissa N. Lessard) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Melissa Lessard) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers with 504th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade sort through food donations, Nolanville, Texas, Nov. 19, 2021. The unit held a food drive and raised 3,414 lbs. of non perishable items. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Melissa N. Lessard)
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers with 504th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade sort through food donations, Nolanville, Texas, Nov. 19, 2021. The unit held a food drive and raised 3,414 lbs. of non perishable items. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Melissa N. Lessard) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Melissa Lessard) VIEW ORIGINAL
Volunteers at the Nolanville Food Pantry weigh non perishable donations, Nolanville, Texas, Nov. 19, 2021. The Pantry accepted donations through the evening time and raised over 10,000 lbs in one day. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Melissa N. Lessard)
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Volunteers at the Nolanville Food Pantry weigh non perishable donations, Nolanville, Texas, Nov. 19, 2021. The Pantry accepted donations through the evening time and raised over 10,000 lbs in one day. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Melissa N. Lessard) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Melissa Lessard) VIEW ORIGINAL

Photos and Story By Sgt. Melissa N. Lessard

(Nolanville, Texas, Nov. 19, 2021)—In the small town of Nolanville, Texas, near Fort Hood in Central Texas, the 504th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade donated 3,414 lbs. of non perishable goods to the local food pantry.

“I think people are realizing that there is a great need and there are hungry people,” said Norma Butler, Director of Nolanville Food Pantry. “The food we received today is such a blessing.”

The 504th EMIB hosted a canned food drive over the past few weeks. More like a competition between the companies to see who could donate the most weight.

On Nov. 19 during the wee hours Soldiers weighed in their goods and sent them off with Spc. Natalie Lenehan, Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers representative, B Company, 163rd Military Intelligence Battalion.

“The food that we are receiving today will be passed out to the citizens of Nolanville for the next year,” said Butler.

She said the donation subsidizes what they receive from the Austin pantry with more options.

“I love that Nolanville lets us in and be a part of their community,” said Lenehan. “We have a community to cherish, take care of, and get to know.”

During the holidays community and family are evermore important.

Pfc. Jacques Bragg, a Soldier with B Company, 303rd Military Intelligence Battalion, said his family never worried about food while growing up, but his family did teach him the values of selfless service. Because of this, he pays it forward by donating to the pantry and being a part of the partnered community.

“Between this and all of the volunteer opportunities they give us it is absolutely amazing,” said Lenehan. “My family is not here, but I know we have this.”

The Nolanville Food Pantry currently serves about 50 families every two weeks. They are open the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 2-6 p.m. They are located at 300 W. Ave I, Nolanville, Texas.