Feds Feed Families food drive underway Published July 11, 2012 By Tech. Sgt. Charles Humphrey 66th Security Forces Squadron HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Food banks across the country are 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 2012 Feds Feed Families food drive campaign with the placement of marked collection boxes at various locations all throughout the base. The collection of nonperishable food items will run through Aug. 31, 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 three years, the generosity of the federal workforce during the Feds Feed Families food campaign has resulted in the collection of 8 million pounds of food and non-perishable items. This year, the campaign will continue to support neighbors, families and communities across the nation. Almost two 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 Officers 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 overall goal is to collect 2 million pounds of food across the nation, while the DOD goal is 733,800 pounds of food. 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 2012 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, grapenuts, 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 Tech. Sgt. Charles Humphrey at 781-225-5616 or 978-404-1012.