On June 2, 2014, USDA Secretary Vilsack and other federal executive leaders came together at a People's Garden in DC (at the Department of Agriculture) to help "knock out hunger." The event was the official kick-off for Feds Feed Families (FFF), a federal government-wide effort led by the Chief Human Capital Officers Council to collect food for the hungry during the summer.
As the National Program Manager for FFF reminded the audience, "Hunger is a real struggle. Donations drop during the summer but demand rises." Food donations are essential during the summer months when children and youth are not able to participate in the free breakfast and lunch programs. In fact, 1 in 6 people in the United States currently do not have enough access to food. And according to the Food Research Action Council's Hunger Doesn't Take a Vacation (PDF), the District of Columbia's 2013 summer feeding program reached 57.9 of every 100 children and youth served during the school year free meal programs.
During the 2013 Fed Feed Families campaign, federal employees donated 8.9 million pounds of food. Although FFF did not set a specific goal for 2014, the speakers were confident that this year's donations would surpass last year's. FFF collections take place all over the United States from June 1 to August 27. During this time, federal employees are encouraged to donate commodities, canned goods, or make financial contributions to help feed our nation. In the DC metro area, donations will go to the Capital Area Food Bank. Each year CAFB serves 500,000 people. Donated before? Know how much you donated last year and beat your best! Haven't donated before? Then donate this year and help your neighbors enjoy summer and not worry about access to food!
More information is on the Feds Feed Families Facebook page.
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