Sheppard delivers the goods during local food drive

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  A caravan of cars, trucks and SUVs delivered more than 21,000 pounds of food Friday to the Wichita Falls Area Food Bank, capping off a week-long food drive. 

Various base organizations rounded up canned and dried foods to help the local agency in its annual U Can Share Food Drive. 

Michelle Schuster, the operations manager of the WFAFB, said Sheppard is traditionally one of the top donors during each drive. Not only does Sheppard deliver the goods during the annual drive, but the Commissary provides fresh produce twice a week throughout the year to help those in need. 

"The base has always been good if we've needed volunteers," Ms. Schuster said. "Sheppard Air Force Base has been a tremendous help in a lot of different way, not just the food drive." 

The overall goal of this year's drive was 150,000 pounds. In September alone, the center donated more than 110,000 pounds to local charities and people in need. 

Ms. Schuster said the food drive helps the organization get through a heavy holiday season and also gives them a good start for the year. 

Master Sgt. Gil De La Cerda, from the 80th Operations Support Squadron and the base point of contact for the drive, said the overall goal for Sheppard's drive was 20,000 pounds - 16,000 for the food bank and 4,000 for the Airman and Family Readiness Center. Sergeant De La Cerda said the goal was exceeded. 

"We were pleasantly surprised," he said. "Last year, we didn't meet the goal we established." 

More than 20 vehicles carried the goods to the center located on Midwestern Parkway. Sergeant De La Cerda said "each one of the trucks was maxed out." 

The food drive isn't just an opportunity for Sheppard members to get another bullet statement on a performance report. It's a time to take advantage of an opportunity to give back to a community. 

"There are people in need throughout the year," Sergeant De La Cerda said, adding the need doesn't stop when the holiday season is over. "This will definitely provide a huge impact and help families in need to have a good holiday."