Dobbins contributes to 5.7 million pounds of donated food

The Department of Defense led all federal agencies in exceeding the philanthropic goals of this year's "Feds Feed Families" food drive campaign, which ran June 1 to Aug. 31. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Chief Human Capital Officers Council announced in a press release that DOD led 40 government agencies, donating 2,004,613 pounds of a total 5,793,446 pounds of nonperishable food items to feed children, senior citizens and families. Members at Dobbins Air Reserve Base donated 600 pounds of non-perishable items between July 27 and Aug. 27. MUST Ministries, a non-profit organization aimed at ending poverty and homelessness, picked up the donations Sept. 6. “The message this sends to our members is the resounding power of a selfless act,” said Nesmith. “This reinforces our second core value, Service Before Self, and further strengthens Air Force pride. Serving our country is also reflected in how we serve our immediate community.” (Courtesy photo)

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Dobbins contributes to 5.7 million pounds of donated food

Published Oct. 4, 2011
94th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. -- The Department of Defense led all federal agencies in exceeding the philanthropic goals of this year's "Feds Feed Families" food drive campaign, which ran June 1 to Aug. 31.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Chief Human Capital Officers Council announced in a press release that DOD led 40 government agencies, donating 2,004,613 pounds of a total 5,793,446 pounds of nonperishable food items to feed children, senior citizens and families.

"Feds Feed Families was a resounding success," said John Berry, the director of OPM. "This year's goal was 2 million pounds and federal employees opened up their hearts to deliver an astounding record total of food items and other essentials."

Members at Dobbins Air Reserve Base donated 600 pounds of non-perishable items between July 27 and Aug. 27. MUST Ministries, a non-profit organization aimed at ending poverty and homelessness, picked up the donations Sept. 6.

"The food donated by our Airmen will hopefully relieve less fortunate families of some of the stress and conflict that may arise during hard times," said Staff Sgt. Dalia G. Nesmith, 94th Airlift Wing equal opportunity specialist and member of the Dobbins Human Resource Development Council.

According to OPM officials, the Agriculture Department followed, donating 1,791,393 pounds of food. Other federal agencies combined to donate 1,997,440 pounds of food.

The annual federal food campaign is a direct response to the United We Serve Act that President Barack Obama signed in April 2009, according to a press release from the Office of the Deputy Secretary of Defense.

During the past three years, OPM officials said the food drive's results have increased exponentially. In its first year, federal employees donated 1 million pounds of nonperishable food items, and in 2010, federal employees donated 1.7 million pounds.

"The message this sends to our members is the resounding power of a selfless act," said Nesmith. "This reinforces our second core value, Service Before Self, and further strengthens Air Force pride. Serving our country is also reflected in how we serve our immediate community."

Courtesy of Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.
American Forces Press Service