Partnership drives food donation

FORT CAVAZOS, Texas - More than 24,000 pounds of food were given away to hundreds of families during the Fresh Food for Families event Sept. 5 in the Phantom Warrior Stadium parking lot at Fort Cavazos.

Fresh Food for Families, a monthly, drive-thru food pantry initiative made possible by the partnership between the Fort Cavazos Religious Support Office and the Central Texas Food Bank, or CTFB, aims to provide families with fresh food to alleviate food insecurity.

The idea came about after the RSO and the CTFB distributed Thanksgiving Turkey basket to more than 600 Fort Cavazos families last year.

In June and July this year, the RSO and the CTFB conducted two pilot programs where food was distributed to more than 600 families combined. The pilots allowed the organizations to determine the best location to conduct the monthly drive-thru
food giveaway.

"The Fort Cavazos community support was instrumental in our success," said Teresa Parris, administrative support specialist for the RSO, adding food was distributed to 450 families each during the Aug. 1 and Sept. 5 Fresh Food for Families events.

Leadership from Fort Cavazos and the CTFB gathered to make remarks in an opening ceremony before food distribution began Sept. 5 to celebrate their partnership.

"This program is a testament to the strong partnership between Fort Cavazos and the Central Texas Food Bank," said Col. Lakicia Stokes, U.S. Army Garrison-Fort Cavazos commander, during her remarks in the opening ceremony. "Together, we are not just addressing a need, we are reinforcing our commitment to the well-being of those who have served our nation. This collaboration exemplifies what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose.

"This recurring effort to provide fresh and healthy foods to our military families … builds on the success of the pilot events held over the summer, which demonstrated a significant need for accessible, nutritious food options within our community," she continued.

Stokes thanked members of the CTFB for their outstanding efforts in supporting the Fresh Food for Families event.

"Thanks to this partnership, today and including our previous events, we will have served 1,400 families with a variety of fresh produce, meats and packed goods," she said. "This effort goes beyond just providing food. It's about ensuring our Soldiers and their families are cared for and have the resources they need to thrive. As we move forward, I'm confident that this program will continue to grow and positively impact the lives of our military families."

During the event, cars were directed through the drive-thru where civilian and Soldier volunteers alike loaded their vehicles with food, including fresh produce, such as carrots and onions.

Anurita Mittra, vice president of network programs with the CTFB, said partnerships like the one between the food bank and Fort Cavazos is how the organization is able to serve families across 21 counties.

"For the longest time, we have partnered with the post once a year providing turkeys and trimmings during the holidays, but the last two years have been different," she said. "We have seen the need across the nation rise. We have the latest USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) report that came out (Sept. 4) that says one in seven families across the nation are facing food insecurity. It is the Central Texas Food Bank's mission to stand in the gap and provide resources to our neighbors."

Mittra touched on how important it was for the food bank to work with Fort Cavazos.

"For us, it's about serving those who serve us," she said, "serving each and every one of you who puts their life out on the line for our safety and security. It is an absolute pleasure and honor for the Central Texas Food Bank, who's been working diligently along with the team here, to make this possible. Thank you for this partnership. We look forward to growing it and making it a place where we can actually provide resources to all of the families out there serving us."

The Fresh Food for Families donation events will take place from 9 - 11 a.m. on the first Thursday of each month.

"We are excited to announce our plans to continue Fresh Foods for Families through 2025 ... with the exception of January 2025 and July 2025, when there will be no distribution," Parris said.

Future dates for Fresh Food for Families will be posted on the Fort Cavazos Garrison Chaplain's Office Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FortCavazosRSO.

For more information about the Fresh Food for Families program, the Main Post Chapel Food Pantry or how to volunteer, contact the RSO at 254-288-6545.

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