Lincoln Sailors Assist Food Bank

NORFOLK, Va. (NNS) -- Sailors from USS Abraham Lincoln volunteered to assist setting up Virginia Peninsula Food Bank's (VPFB) 20th Annual "Tastefully Yours," a food and wine tasting fund-raiser, April 16 and 17.

The premiere food and wine tasting event showcases area restaurants April 18 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center.

VPFB's volunteer coordinator, Maria Quigley, said that 100 percent of the proceeds go back to the food bank which, during 27 years of operation has distributed more than 121 million pounds of food and related products to the needy in the North Hampton Roads region.
"Our volunteers are our lifeblood," said Quigley. "Without them we would not be able to make this event successful."

Lincoln Sailors hauled in supplies, decorated chairs and tables, arranged flowers and lighting and assisted with cleanup.

"We put out word throughout our department that we needed manpower for the event, and people responded and showed up to work," said Aviation Structural Mechanic 1st Class Joanna Madrid, Lincoln's coordinator for the event.

Quigley said that each event grows bigger and better and they are expecting 3,000 to 3,500 patrons for this year's event.

"I've done community relation events before but never like this one," said Personnel Support Specialist 2nd Class Matthew Unuame. "It is a great way to give back to our community through the Navy."

"We are very fortunate to live in a community where we have such a big military presence. We get a lot of military support for our programs from all military branches including contractors," said Quigley. "Whether it is to sort frozen meat, move mounds of dirt or distribute food products, our military is a huge source of physical and financial support to our program."

Madrid reiterated the importance for Sailors who live in the area to be involved with community projects.

"It is important to show that the Navy as an organization is willing to give back when we are here, by helping the community and not just be passers-through," said Madrid. "It shows that we are a total force and not just war fighters."


For more news from USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), visit www.navy.mil/local/cvn72/.