As the nation enters the season of giving, Navy personnel from the shore enterprise have already extended a helping hand to others through this year’s Feds Feed Families campaign.

The workforce of Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC), which spans across 10 regions around the globe, donated 249,703 pounds of food to the campaign created to help food banks and pantries stay stocked during summer months, when they traditionally see a decrease in donations and an increase in need.

“The generosity of all involved has significantly helped those food banks with donations that, in turn, assist those less fortunate in times of crisis,” said Cmdr. Paul Rumery, CNIC’s deputy force chaplain and the shore enterprise’s Feds Feed Families campaign coordinator. “We did a fantastic effort here at CNIC.”

Various food banks, shelters, pantries and nonprofit organizations such as the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, benefit from the campaign. In Washington, D.C., the Capital Area Food Bank also receives Feds Feed Families donations, which are then distributed through its network of more than 500 partner organizations.

“This is a very important program, because some of the efforts directly assisted personnel affected by Hurricane Florence and the wildfires in California,” said Rumery. “One can or $1 donated, which equal 3 pounds [of food], went to people that needed support in a time of need.”

The annual food drive has collected nearly 80 million pounds of food since the campaign began in 2009. This year’s campaign began July 15 and ended in October.

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