A&FRC Holiday Food Basket Drive underway

  • Published
  • By Dan Hawkins
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Sheppard Airman and Family Readiness Center is once again collecting donations for the annual Holiday Food Basket program, which is aimed at helping Airmen who might be in need of assistance during the holiday season so they can enjoy a holiday meal with all the trimmings with their family.

Since the program's inception, the numbers of families helped has grown each year.

"The holiday food basket program started back in the mid-1980's," said Charlie Ringwood, A&FRC Holiday Food Basket coordinator. "It has grown each year,especially as the economy has taken a turn for the worse.  We've helped up to 325 families in a year.  It helps young troops who might be having financial issues...that's really why we do it."

Donations are accepted year round in the A&FRC Food Pantry, with organizations such as the Air Force Sergeant's Association hosting food drives and the "Feds Feeding Families" campaign making large donations every year from June-Sep.

Once all the food has been collected for the holiday drive, then the real work begins.

"We usually meet the Friday before the holiday and build the bags," said Mike Brown, A&FRC Holiday Food Basket coordinator.  "It's so rewarding to build each bag knowing you are helping a family enjoy the holidays just a little more."

Although there is a major push to collect food during the holidays, food donations can be made year-round.  Through the years, the A&FRC generally helps 10-15 families a month throughout the year from the A&FRC food pantry, which is open and available year round. 

The goal this year is to provide 100 holiday baskets to those in need during the holiday season.  Unit first sergeants and commanders usually identify those who might be in need of assistance from the program, but any family is eligible.

All Thanksgiving baskets will be handed out to first sergeants on Nov. 19 for distribution. 

Those in need of assistance can call 676-4358 and speak to Charlie Ringwood or Mike Brown.

For more information about the A&FRC, log on to the Sheppard Air Force Base website.