Airmen can help feds feed families

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RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) --  During the 2011 Feds Feed Families food drive campaign, Airmen can help feed those in need.

The campaign runs through Aug. 31.

"This is the first time the federal agencies have come together as one team to support the drive," said Ellen Nelson, the executive director of the Alamo Federal Executive Board in San Antonio. "Federal employees will see marked bins in each of their buildings, where they can donate nonperishable food and daily-hygiene items. Our goal in San Antonio is to donate five pounds per federal employee."

The nearly 2,500 people in the Air Force Personnel Center here have a goal to raise more than five tons of food and hygiene products.

The national food drive, coordinated by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Chief Human Capital Council, encourages federal employees to help supplement food banks across the nation.

The AFEB, which includes members from more than 50 federal agencies, is spear-heading the San Antonio drive.

"We are proud to partner with the San Antonio federal agencies to help support the children and families who are hardest hit by our tough economy," Nelson said. "Food banks across the nation are struggling to replace the items people depend on to survive, especially during summer months when donations are traditionally lower."

Federal agencies participating in San Antonio include the Social Security Administration, the Small Business Administration, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Department of Homeland Security, the Transportation Safety Administration, the FBI, the National Weather Service, Port San Antonio and several military organizations at area installations including Lackland Air Force Base, Randolph AFB and Fort Sam Houston.

Officials said the most-needed items include the following:
-- Canned vegetables: low sodium, no salt
-- Canned fruits: in light syrup or their own juices
-- Canned proteins: tuna, salmon, chicken, peanut butter and beans
-- Soups: beef stew, chili, chicken noodle, turkey or rice
-- Condiments: tomato-based sauces, light soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, salad
dressing or oils
-- Snacks: individually packed snacks, crackers, trail mix, dried fruit,
granola and cereal bars, pretzels and sandwich crackers
-- Multigrain cereal
-- 100-percent juice: all sizes, including juice boxes
-- Grains: brown and white rice, oatmeal, bulgur, quinoa, couscous, pasta and
macaroni and cheese
-- Paper products and household items: paper towels, napkins, and cleaning supplies
-- Hygiene items: diapers, deodorants for men and women, feminine products, toilet paper, tissues, soap, toothpaste and shampoo

Collection boxes are located in participating agency entrances, and more boxes will be distributed as they become available, Nelson said.

"We hope more federal agencies will join us," she said. "San Antonio's largest employer is the federal government and we have the potential to make a huge difference in the fight against hunger and give back to our San Antonio community."

For more information on the Feds Feed Families program, visit http://www.fedsfeedfamilies.gov/index.aspx.