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Recently, San Diego Magazine published a hard-hitting article highlighting the increasing problem of food insecurity amongst military families in San Diego, a city known for its high cost of living. The article, "The Battle for Food Security Among SD's Military Families", delves deep into the challenges that service members and their families face in maintaining adequate nutrition, even with a steady income. Our very own CEO, Tony Stewart, contributed valuable insights to this issue, reinforcing Us4Warriors' commitment to alleviating this problem.
The article underscores a disturbing reality: one in four members of the US military experiences food insecurity. With San Diego's rising living costs - the city ranked sixth in cost of living increase in 2022 - it’s conceivable that the situation here is even graver. This overall disparity is recognized by government agencies and especially the Department of Defense (DoD) as efforts began in early 2023 with the quiet introduction of a Basic Needs Allowance (BNA), a program included in the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) intended to increase pay to those challenged by food insecurity in the military. Introduced to the military forces in late 2022, recent reports by RAND indicate the eligibility is so narrow that less than 1200 active-duty members are eligible. Closer to home, most military that use our Food4Warriors services are simply unaware the BNA option exists.
As our CEO Tony Stewart states, "Progress takes a long time, and military families deserve more timely and effective pathways to eradicate food insecurity." At Us4Warriors, we work tirelessly to provide these pathways, ensuring that our service members and their families are provided with the support they need to thrive.
This is an issue that demands immediate attention and collective action. At Us4Warriors, we are on the front lines, continuously organizing food distributions and other support services for military families in need. Our efforts are unwavering, but we can’t do it alone. We encourage you to stand with us. Volunteering at our food distribution events is a wonderful way to give back to those who have given so much for us. The Ongoing Battle to Support Military Families is part of our mission.
While volunteering is immensely valuable, financial contributions are also critical in fueling our operations and allowing us to expand our reach. We understand that not everyone can give in the same way or to the same extent, but every contribution helps. If you are able to, please consider making a financial donation to Us4Warriors. Your support will directly impact the lives of those who serve and protect us, ensuring they and their families have access to nutritious food. Let’s stand together in this fight to eradicate food insecurity amongst our military families.
Link to the article: https://www.sandiegomagazine.com/features/food-insecurity-in-military-families/article_6055cec8-1549-11ee-a715-679667384e1f.html
