JOINT BASE LANGLEY-EUSTIS, Va. –
Bins filled to the brim with cans and boxes were found scattered across Langley Air Force Base, Virginia after Joint Base Langley-Eustis members donated food to the Feds Feed Families Food Drive (F4D) held from July 1, 2016 through Aug. 31, 2016.
During the annual Department of Defense-wide food drive, JBLE raised more than 1,520 pounds of food for the Virginia Peninsula non-profit food bank in Hampton, Virginia.
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Kristina Diaz, F4D Langley fundraising lead, encouraged base personnel to donate to provide for families in the local community in hopes they will in time help others when they can.
“You’re directly impacting somebody’s life,” said Diaz. “Especially the children, they see the graciousness and I am sure that the children may think, ‘I’m able to eat today because somebody donated this food. They may not have known me but they care about me as a human being enough to want to help me eat.’”
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Elikplim Seddoh, F4D Langley promotional lead, was motivated by the huge impact a dollar could have in feeding families and used this information to raise awareness for the food drive.
“There are people that don’t have much and being able to raise food for them really humbled me,” said Seddoh. “I think being able to serve someone else and knowing we were helping gave everyone who participated in the drive motivation to volunteer.”
Although the Feds Feed Families Food Drive lasted only a month, the Virginia Peninsula food bank always welcomes donations or volunteers throughout the year.
“There’s avenues out there that you can provide your time to make a difference in the world doing something as simple as [donating to a food drive],” said Diaz. “Just keep your eyes open for any way to help.”
For more information about the F4D or to volunteer, contact Capt. Michelle Kim 202-614-3643 or Maj. Oscar Palomino at 202-225-2165.