Feds donate tons during first half of food drive Published Aug. 15, 2011 By Debbie Gildea Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Air Force Personnel Center Airmen donated more than two tons of food and hygiene products to the San Antonio Food Bank in support of the Feds Feed Families food drive, organized locally by the Alamo Federal Executive Board. The Air Force Personnel Center's donation was delivered to the food bank July 28 by Alamo Federal Executive Board executive director Ellen Nelson, her assistant Bruce Bebow, and fellow AFEB volunteer Andrew Pruett, Defense Civilian Personnel Advisory Service. "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 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. "All of our barrels at AFPC are full," Nelson said. "We still have two weeks before the final weigh in, which will take place Aug. 31." "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 For more information on the Feds Feed Families program, visit http://www.sanantoniofeb.org or the AFEB Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/afebsa. For information about personnel issues, visit the Air Force personnel services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil.