Food basket program brings holiday meals to fellow Airmen

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Rachel Davenport
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Thanksgiving is traditionally a time for families to take a break from the monotonous grind of the day-to-day life and reflect upon what we have been given. 

However not all families have this opportunity, whether it be because of personal or financial hardships that are often magnified by the holiday season. This is where the Whiteman Thanksgiving Food Basket Program steps in to make a difference for those who would have Nov. 27 as just another Thursday instead of Thanksgiving. 

The food basket program helps all members of Team Whiteman to make Thanksgiving a memorable holiday. "We raised roughly $3000 worth of food items, equal to about 4,000 lbs of food," said 2nd Lt. Charles Polley, a food basket program volunteer. 

Items donated this year consisted of turkey, cranberry sauce, rolls, green beans, mashed potatoes, corn and pies. 

Each squadron was designated a point-of-contact who volunteered to help get their squadron involved. Other volunteers throughout the base came to assist in distributing the goods to those in need. The first sergeants identified Airmen and families in need this Thanksgiving. Those identified are kept anonymous. 

The program has been around for more than three years, originating in the 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron, but has grown to become a base-wide volunteer program. 

The groups involved in the program this year are the Company Grade Officers' Corp, the Officer Spouse's Club, the First Sergeant's Group, Base Chapel, as well as other private donations. 

"As fellow Airmen, it makes us happy as fellow Airmen that we could contribute back to the Whiteman community to create a positive experience for both the volunteers and the individuals and families who receive the goods," Lieutenant Polley said. "We are all brought closer here at Whiteman during the holidays thanks to this program."