Last week, several USDA employees toured the Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) to learn more about the destination of items donated to the Feds, Farmers, and Friends Feed Families initiative. It was a great opportunity to learn more about the program and the CAFB facility, as well as hear about other endeavors being implemented to aid those in need. In addition to all of the great things being achieved by the Food Bank, it was also humbling to learn of the difficulties they are continuing to overcome. The facility was founded in 1980 and is now the largest nonprofit hunger and nutrition education resource in the Washington Metropolitan area. They offer community-building initiatives including Kids Cafe, Weekend Bag, Face Hunger, From the Ground Up, Sister Hook-Up, Produce for People, and the Brown Bag Program; educa- ting the community about the importance of healthy diets and advocating policies that serve the public’s interests.
Our tour began when we made the quick drive from USDA’s South Building to Northeast DC, arriving at the CAFB in time to view trucks navigate the narrow alleyway to make deliveries. After being unloaded, items were deposited and sorted. As we filed into the building, everything appeared very organized and tidy; each item having its designated bin, box, or shelf. We tried to stay out of the way in the noisy warehouse as boxes were busily moved, loaded and unloaded. It became very evident that foods were not the only items donated to the bank for distribution- there was also a variety of personal care and hygiene items.
In addition to gathering, organizing, and shipping out goods to those in need, CAFB partners with other initiatives to provide outreach and education. We passed a table with sample items used to teach members of the SNAP food benefits program (formerly Food Stamps) about items which are both budget-stretching and nutritious. As we snaked our way around giant stacks of boxes and bins of food, we also passed beautiful, mural-covered walls which were an unexpected artistic contrast to the typically inhospitable warehouse setting. The Inspirational quotes and bright, lively colors gave us insight into how the management at CAFB stays so upbeat and innovative whilst facing such a tremendous problem in the Washington metropolitan area.
By the time our tour ended and it was time to return to USDA, it was very clear that the CAFB works hard to provide a much- needed service to the community. Currently there are more than 640,000 local area residents who are at risk of being hungry, 200,000 of which are children (U.S. Census American Community Survey 2006-2008). Although it may not seem like much to bring a can or two of food to donate, it can truly make a remarkable difference. I would like to encourage you to take a moment to glance in your cupboards at home, and if you spy that can of corn which you haven’t touched in two months, please consider someone in need who would be deeply grateful for it. The Food Bank demonstrated to those of us who went on the tour that when everyone does just a tiny bit, it all comes together to create a tremendously influential change. There is no doubt in my mind that items donated to the Feds, Farmers, and Friends Feed Families program are going somewhere where they are truly needed and appreciated.
If you would like more information about the CAFByou can visit http://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/ or for information about Feds, Farmers, and Friends Feed Families please visit http://www.fedsfeedfamilies.gov/.