Uniting to Combat Hunger Food Drive Kicks Off to Support Feeding San Diego and Local Veterans of Foreign Wars Posts
The public can support food assistance programs for active-duty military families and veterans by dropping off non-perishable food items at participating VFW posts through November 17
Ahead of Veterans Day, Humana, the VFW Foundation, and Rotary District 5340 are supporting both Feeding San Diego and local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts through the second annual Uniting to Combat Hunger Food Drive across San Diego County.
The food drive will run through Sunday, November 17 and the public is invited to bring non-perishable food items to participating VFW locations throughout the county or donate through a virtual food drive to support Feeding San Diego’s hunger-relief and food rescue programs. For every pound of food or dollar donated by participating VFW posts, the VFW Foundation with Humana will donate $1 to the post, up to $1,500 per post.
Food and funds collected will support active-duty military families and veterans in bringing meals home through Feeding San Diego’s Feeding Heroes initiative. The hunger-relief and food rescue non-profit works with a network of partners that serve the military community to provide nutritious meals to active-duty military families and veterans.
According to Feeding America, in 2020, nearly a quarter (24%) of active-duty service members experienced food insecurity and 1 in 9 working-age veterans live in food insecure households. Causes of food insecurity for military families include low pay for lower enlisted service members, the challenge of finding steady work for military spouses if they have to move often or live on base, unexpected expenses that crop up like moving costs and medical bills, high cost of living in cities where they are stationed, and the fact that many military family members don’t qualify for food assistance programs because they’re considered to have too much income. This is because the housing allowance they receive to help pay for housing counts as income. Causes of food insecurity for veterans include low income, especially for older veterans and veterans with disabilities, trouble finding work after leaving the military, and impact of military service on physical and mental health.
“This year-round support is critical to our local military and veteran community. It’s shocking to think that those who serve or have served our country may be experiencing food insecurity. To support the work we’re already doing to feed our heroes, we are honored to be partnered with our local VFW posts for the second year,” said Bob Kamensky, chief executive officer of Feeding San Diego. “As a veteran myself, it’s a privilege to be a part of San Diego’s military community and to have Feeding San Diego provide much-needed resources for our active-duty military families and veterans.”
A full list of participating VFW drop off sites can be found here. Those who would rather give funds instead of food can donate to the virtual food drive affiliated with the food drive.
