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A nationwide
initiative sparked by President Barack Obama has the potential to deliver two
and a half tons of food to the Kodiak Food Bank by the end of August. At least
that's the goal of Chief Jason Riggs from Coast Guard Base Kodiak. He's heading
up the "Feds Feeding Families" program on the base.
"Secretary Napolitano has challenged the DHS, that's
Department of Homeland Security, to donate 500,000 pounds of food. It's a
campaign that's part of the presidential initiative "United We Serve," geared
toward federal employees working at the local level to donate non-perishable
food items to local food banks."
Last year,
Riggs says 8-million pounds of food was gathered by federal employees
nationwide. Locally, he's hoping for a modest five pounds per Coast Guard
member, which could add up to about 5,000 pounds. Spouses, family members and
civilian employees on base are welcome to donate as well.
The
collection campaign kicks off Saturday during Coast Guard Day on the base.
-- (Feds Feeding 2 22 sec "There's a kid's barbeque at the gym from 10:30 to 1
p.m., and then there's an evening barbeque at the Golden Anchor from 6 in the
evening until whenever they finish. That is the kick-off day, and we're going
to run the food drive throughout the month of August. There's also a sports day
later on in the month that the cans will be at as well.")
The "cans"
Riggs refers to are 55-gallon drums, which will be emblazoned with a food drive
sign and placed at various spots on base. He says you won't be able to miss
them.
-- (Feds Feeding 3 18 sec "If they're on base, they'll see the barrels, whether
it's at the commissary or the exchange or at the hangars. I haven't set up a
permanent place for the barrels yet, but where I know they'll be is at the gym
during that time and at the Golden Anchor during that time, and the rest of the
month I'll be coordinating moving them around the base.")
He says
non-perishables are preferred, but items with shorter shelf-lives can be
donated as well:
-- (Feds Feeding 4 17 sec "Oatmeal, cereals, canned foods - anything
non-perishable they can put in the barrels. If they have any substantial amount
of vegetables or other perishable food, I'd would even arrange for pick up from
the Food Bank in town. They'd be more than happy to take what you have.")
Riggs says
he's made arrangements with the Kodiak Food Bank, which is operated by the
Kodiak Baptist Mission, and they are looking forward to the donation. The food
drive is sponsored by the Chief's Mess, an organization of all the chiefs on
base, and lasts through the end of the month.
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