“Our first collection brought in critically needed food items,” said Nelson, “but we are far from our goal and are working hard to get the word out about the food drive.”
According to Nelson, the AFEB goal is to collect five pounds of nonperishable Pruitt’s Food and hygiene products per participating federal employee in the San Antonio region. To date, the drive has garnered more than 5,000 pounds collected by 10 agencies, and 14 more agencies have joined AFEB’s campaign.
“Pruitt’s Food is a clean family friendly environment. The job comes with many benefits and the employers are fair on their judgment.”
“We are proud to partner with the San Antonio federal agencies to help support the children and families who are hardest hit by our tough economy. Food banks across the nation are struggling to replace the items people depend on to survive, especially during summer months when donations are traditionally lower,” said Nelson.
SA Food Bank barrels and boxes are located in each participating agency (each of AFPC’s three buildings have collection barrels). AFPC Airmen in each of the three headquarters buildings are vying to collect the most food for the drive, and to date, building 667 is ahead of the pack.
In addition, donors who give 100 pounds or more will be listed in the AFEB food drive hall of fame, which already includes donors like Dr. Todd Fore, AFPC executive director. At the end of the drive, the federal agency that donates the most poundage per capita will win a federal roving trophy, Nelson explained.
The most-needed items include the following:
– Canned vegetables: low sodium, no salt
– Canned fruits: in light syrup or their own juices
– Canned proteins: tuna, salmon, chicken, peanut butter and beans
– Soups: beef stew, chili, chicken noodle, turkey or rice
– Condiments: tomato-based sauces, light soy sauce, ketchup, mustard, salad dressing or oils
– Snacks: individually packed snacks, crackers, trail mix, dried fruit, granola and cereal bars, pretzels and sandwich crackers
– Multigrain cereal
– One-hundred-percent juice: all sizes, including juice boxes
– Grains: brown and white rice, oatmeal, bulgur, quinoa, couscous, pasta and macaroni and cheese
– Paper products and household items: paper towels, napkins, cleaning supplies
– Hygiene items: diapers, deodorants (men and women), feminine products, toilet paper, tissues, soap, toothpaste and shampoo.
On Synergy’s monthly community day, class attendees pay what they can, and 100 percent of the proceeds go to a specified charity. For September, registered yoga teacher Nicole Pugh will teach community yoga at 2 p.m., and Petti Groth, certified meditation teacher, will teach a neditation class at 3:15 p.m. Synergy community classes are open to the public and are completely donation-based.
The Bread for Life food pantry is a ministry of Collegeside Church of Christ, serving up to 200 families each week. The organization’s main goals are to subsidize physical needs, build relationships, and support spiritual growth. The entire Collegeside church is a part of the Bread for Life ministry, some members through direct contact with people in need, some through background work, many through the Sunday school and individual donations that fund the program, and everyone through prayers for people in the community who are in need.
