Food drive strives to limit local, national hunger Published June 23, 2015 By Mark Wyatt 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- Organizers of the "Feds Feed Families" annual summer food drive are now accepting non-perishable food donations at various locations on base through Aug. 31. The food drive, which officially began June 1, will deliver all donations collected to the Greater Boston Food Bank. "Members of Team Hanscom are encouraged to donate non-perishable food items to one of the many collection boxes with the 'Feds Feed Families' logo located around the installation," said Master Sgt. Timothy Leavitt, Hanscom "Feds Feed Families" co-chair. "Collection points can be found in the commissary, Brown Building, chapel and at other locations on base as the campaign continues throughout the summer." The Greater Boston Food Bank, whose mission is to end hunger in Eastern Massachusetts, is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England, according to the organization's website. Last summer federal employees donated nearly 15 million pounds of food to local food banks. At Hanscom AFB, donations to the Boston-area food bank exceeded 2,000 pounds, Leavitt said. Since the annual "Feds Feed Families" food drives began in 2009, the federal workforce has collected more than 39 million pounds of non-perishable food items to support families across America. This year, the drive will continue to support neighbors, families and communities across Massachusetts and the country. The Defense Department is again taking an active role in the nationwide campaign organized by the United States Department of Agriculture by challenging federal employees to donate to this cause. "Service members, DoD civilians and contractors can look in their cabinets for items to donate or pick up one or two items while grocery shopping this summer," said Leavitt. "That generosity can go a long way in helping a hungry family in need." Base organizers of the "Feds feed Families" campaign are unable to accept monetary donations, but the following list includes the top requested items: Canned fruit in its own juices Canned vegetables, diced tomatoes, tomato and spaghetti sauce Canned proteins, including tuna fish, salmon, chicken, peanut butter, beans Grains, including oatmeal, whole grain crackers, all types of pasta, whole grain rice Low sugar, high fiber cereal, including Cheerios, grape nuts, raisin bran, cream of wheat Dry, evaporated, and boxed shelf-stable milk Soups, including beef stew, bean soup, chili, chicken noodle, turkey and rice 100 percent juice (fruit and vegetable) in all sizes Condiments, including ketchup, mustard, salad dressings, oils, low sodium soy sauce Snacks, including trail mix, dried fruit, granola, cereal bars, pretzels, fruit cups, nuts Those interested in making a monetary donation may do so directly at the Greater Boston Food Bank website at www.gbfb.org. For further information on this year's food drive, contact Leavitt at 781-225-6482 or Staff Sgt. Natasha Guevara at 781-225-1410.