Feds Feed Families food drive underway Published July 10, 2013 By 2nd Lt. Tan Pham 66th Security Forces Squadron HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- The Greater Boston Food Bank's mission is to End Hunger Here. According to their website, their objective is to distribute enough food to provide at least one meal a day to those in need. The GBFB is facing severe shortages of non-perishable items, just as summer begins and children are left without school nutrition programs. Hanscom volunteers are organizing a food collection for the 2013 Feds Feed Families food drive cam¬paign with the placement of marked collection boxes at various locations throughout the base. The collection of nonperishable food items will run through Aug. 28, and the donations will be given to the Greater Boston Food Bank. The Hanscom community can look for boxes with the Feds Feed Families logo in locations such as the Brown Building, chapel, commissary, 66th Security Forces Squadron building, 66th Medical Squadron clinic, Building 1614 and more. In the course of four years, the generosity of the federal workforce during the Feds Feed Families food campaign has resulted in the collection of more than 15 million pounds of food and non-perishable items to support families across America. This year, the campaign will continue to support neighbors, families and communities across the nation. Almost three years ago, President Obama signed the United We Serve Act into law, calling on all Americans to contribute to the nation's economic recovery by serving the communities. In response to this call, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the Chief Human Capital Offi¬cers Council formed a partnership through the Feds Feed Families campaign. Requests from food banks have been increasing while contributions have been simultaneously decreasing. The Department of Defense is taking a role in the nationwide campaign challenging federal employees to donate to their local food pantries. The food drive provides an opportunity to reach out and support local communities and families in need. All base employees are invited to participate, including contractors, civilians, military members and veterans. The campaign is unable to accept cash or monetary donations, but the following list includes the top 12 requested items for the 2013 Feds Feed Families Food Campaign: 1. Canned fruits in light syrup or its own juices 2. 100 percent juice in all sizes, including juice boxes 3. Canned vegetables, low sodium 4. Condiments: tomato based sauces, light soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, salad dressings, oils 5. Multigrain cereal: Cheerios, cornflakes, grape nuts, raisin bran 6. Snacks: individually packed snacks, crackers, trail mix, dried fruit, granola, cereal bars, pretzels 7. Grains: brown and white rice, oatmeal, macaroni and cheese, quinoa, couscous 8. Baking goods: flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, spices, boxed mixes 9. Canned proteins: tuna, salmon, chicken, peanut butter, beans 10. Hygiene items: diapers, deodorant, feminine products, toilet paper, soap, toothpaste, shampoo 11. Soups: beef stew, chili, chicken noodle, turkey and rice 12. Paper products and household goods: paper towels, napkins, tissues, cleaning supplies Anyone who has questions about the campaign may contact 2nd Lt. Tan Pham at 781-225-1068 or Tech. Sgt. Mary Williams at 781-225-6397.