Eight departments from within the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center collected more than a half ton of food for the 2022 Feds Feed Families food drive from June 27 to Sept. 30.
Pharmacy led the charge with 443 pounds of food, averaging more than 14 pounds per person. Radiology was runner up with 156 pounds collected, averaging 12 pounds per person.
“The past couple of years have been difficult due to the stresses of COVID and some citizens are struggling putting food on the table,” said Alex Graham, Oscar G. Johnson VAMC chief of pharmacy. “As federal employee’s it is an opportunity to give back and help whenever possible. All the food gathered will help restock local pantries and help those most in need.”
Feds Feed Families is a U.S. Department of Agriculture program that began in 2009 in response to the United We Serve Act, which called on Americans to contribute to the nation’s economic recovery by serving in their communities. The campaign has collected more than 99 million pounds of food, with more than 7 million pounds collected in 2022 alone.
The food drive helps food panties and food banks stay stocked during the summer months when they traditionally see a decrease in donations and an increase in need through donations of food-to-food pantries and food banks. It also brings awareness to issues of hunger.
“Many families have felt the impact of higher food prices this year,” said Dr. Mark Kadowaki, Oscar G. Johnson VAMC acting medical center director. “We’re proud to support the Feds Feed Families program as a way to directly help families in our local communities.”
Iron Mountain VAMC departments that donated food in 2022 were pharmacy, radiology, quality management, human resources, clinical practice management, engineering, mental health and environmental management services.
The collected food was donated directly to Caring House and Salvation Army in Iron Mountain.
Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center worked with Tadych’s MarketPlace Foods to get cases of canned goods rather than handling individual cans, allowing for a better price for the medical center and reduced workload on Tadych’s employees.
“When you get to reach out to the agencies right here in Iron Mountain, it is heart-warming,” said Candy Schoenborn, clinical pharmacist and facility coordinator for the food drive. “They are so grateful and appreciative. They drop everything to come and pick up food when I call to tell them it is available. There is definitely a need right here in our community. Yes, as VA employees we serve Veterans, but we also serve our community.”
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