The 13th annual Feds Feed Families program kicked off at the Capital Area Food Bank in Washington, D.C. with a theme of "Fighting Hunger – Giving Hope."
The program is a volunteer food drive in which employees of federal agencies give in-kind contributions such as food, services and time to food banks and pantries, according to a June 27 news release. Deputy Assistant Secretary Kim Peyser was on hand at the launch event, which runs June 27-Sept. 30.
"One box feeds a family of four for up to three days. In one day at the food bank, we would happy if we can put out 500 boxes in a shift," Capital Area Food Bank volunteer Maureen O'Donnell said in the release. "On a great day at the food bank, we might be able to put out 2,500 boxes on a shift."
Capital Area Food Bank distributes more than 45 million meals annually, which is an average of 88,000 meals a day. The 2022 Feds Feed Families program donated more than 1.5 million pounds of food, according to the news release.
Capital Area Food Bank President and CEO Radha Muthiah reported COVID-19 negatively impacted food assistance programs, decreasing donations, according to the release. She saidFeds Feed Families is more important than ever before to meet the rising demand of food needed to “unlock human potential.”
