Food4Warriors: lifted heavy & traveled far to help thousands, with months to go

The Food4Warriors Team has done some amazing work this year to help our warriors and their families. Over 1,563 miles travelled this year so far. From our busy Chula Vista, California office, that is a distance well beyond a trip to Houston, Texas or Wichita, Kansas or even north to Seattle, Washington. That is how many miles our Food4Warriors Team travelled this year so far to bring groceries to warriors and families in need.

But how much food is another image of hard work, dedication, and generosity. Over 44,405 pounds of groceries, including dry goods and produce, were provided so far. That is over 22 tons that were delivered, sorted, prepared, packaged, and distributed to active-duty military, veterans, and family members during times of need. To make these events happen, it took more hours than we can account for, but we are thankful for the help of over 350 volunteers just for the food programs.

We thank our partners with Feeding San Diego and the San Diego Food Bank for helping us keep the mission going. We thank our partners with the local U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs “Food Empowerment Team” for helping us reach veterans with conditions that can be supported by overcoming the temporary needs associated with Veterans Hunger. We thank our network with San Diego Veterans Coalition for supporting our efforts throughout the year.

We especially thank these companies for their support this year: California Foundation for Stronger Communities, Frontier Technology, Inc., Kroger Co. Foundation, TJX Foundation, Smart & Final Foundation, Vet Rating Group, Ron & Sue Shroder Foundation, Walmart Store #2150 (710 Dennery Road, San Diego), and so many others.

Earlier in the year, we asked Congress to keep the fight going and to help eradicate Veterans Hunger. Hunger among military, veterans and their families is real. Veterans are 7% more likely to live in a food insecure home. Hunger is 22.5% higher among disabled working age veterans. Hunger is 10 times more when veterans suffer from mental illness. There was a 60% increase in hunger during the pandemic for those over 60 years of age and efforts continue to bring those numbers down. National statistics aside, military and veterans living in San Diego are faced with a higher cost of living than other places in the nation which compounds the struggle.

Thanks to all these, over 3,000 lives were changed this year with two more months to go, and many new methods, partnerships and activities set in motion to help support thousands more.

If you are a member of the armed forces, a veteran or a immediate family member of either, and need food, please check out our Food4Warriors program services by clicking here.

If you believe, like we do, that Military and Veteran Hunger is cause worth supporting, please consider supporting our efforts by making a donation here.