FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — The Fort Cavazos Garrison Chaplain’s Office partnered with the Central Texas Food Bank to provide fresh produce to military families during the “Fresh Foods for Families “event July 3 in the Phantom Warrior Stadium parking lot.
Chaplain (Capt.) Eugene Savarimuthu, Garrison Chaplain’s Office chaplain resource manager, explained the Religious Support Office worked for several months to bring the event to the Great Place and the event was the second pilot program following the first on June 6, which served more than 250 families at the Main Post Chapel.
“I had a passion to bring this event to these military families because our Soldiers need help,” he shared. “So, I thought that this would be a great ministry from our Religious Support Office to bring the mission of God’s love to the people.”
While some Soldiers, RSO representatives and volunteers filled bags and boxes full of fresh vegetables, almonds and pantry staples, others loaded the goods into trunks and truck beds as Soldiers and family members patiently waited in their vehicles.
Sgt. Ashakee Bailey, 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, volunteered during the event organizing boxes for families and shared she loves giving back.
Bailey explained she is a mechanic working in the motor pool, so participating in an event like this outside of work “is a good feeling.”
“Giving back is important,” she said. “... It’s good that the food bank is coming out here to give back to the Soldiers that are giving back to the country.”
Savarimuthu expressed the response has been reassuring.
“The leadership is encouraging (RSO) to make this event happen on a regular basis because of the excitement and also the benefit to families,” he said.
He conveyed taking care of families is taking care of Soldiers, which helps to maintain a ready fighting force.
“Healthy family, healthy Soldiers,” he remarked.
Spc. Eddie Duo, 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div., said the event is a great help to him and his family.
“This is important because it helps with getting groceries for my family and so they help me save a little more,” he said. “It’s going to help a lot of Soldiers, including me, to save some funds to do other stuff with our families.”
His friend, Spc. Shaquain Boyd, 215th BSB, 3rd Bde. Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div., agreed.
“This event is beneficial to people, especially those that are in a time of need,” Boyd said. “I feel like this is a big help because it allows us to allocate our funds to other things that are necessary.”
The overwhelmingly positive response to the pilot events spurred the Garrison Chaplain’s Office to officially launch the donation program Aug. 1 from 9-11 a.m. in the Phantom Warrior Stadium parking lot and provide future donation events every first Thursday of the month.
For more information and future donation dates, visit the Fort Cavazos RSO Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FortCavazosRSO.
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