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Command helps feed hungry

USJFCOM’s workers donate more than 4,200 pounds of food to  the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia.

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By Army Sgt. Josh LeCappelain
USJFCOM Public Affairs

(NORFOLK, Va., Sept. 8, 2010) –- U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) warfighters, civilians and contractors teamed up with the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia to help put food on Hampton Roads dinner tables.

The effort resulted in a donation of 4,215 pounds of food to the food bank, which serves approximately 380,000 individuals a year.  The food drive’s goal is to donate 5,000 pounds, which will provide 3,846 meals.

Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Perlie Hopson, the flag writer to the USJFCOM chief of staff, started the food drive after talking to the food bank.

“I was trying to find volunteer opportunities in the local community,” Hopson said.  “I called the food bank to see if I could volunteer there and they said they would love to have help but their cupboards were bare.  They told me that the summer months were the hardest in terms of getting donations in.”

“So, I put a package in requesting permission to do a food drive within the Joint Concept Development and Experimentation Directorate (J9).  Rear Adm.[Dan] Davenport, currently the USJFCOM chief of staff but at the time the director of J9, saw the package and sent it up, saying this should be a command-wide effort,” she continued.

Hopson started advertising around the command, looking for volunteers to assist the effort.  Fifteen people signed on, with each one put in charge of advertising and collection in a specific building.

Air Force Staff Sgt. Vanessa Valentine, USJFCOM command photographer, volunteered to assist and helped spread the word about the food drive. 

“I like helping people out and after I heard about this and the shortage at the food bank, I really wanted to contribute in some way to help those in need,” said Valentine, adding that she also viewed the food drive as a chance to meet and work together with other warfighters from across the command.

The team pooled the food together once a week and delivered it to the food bank, which distributes nearly one million pounds of food per month. 

“If it wasn’t for our ability to work as a team, we wouldn’t have gotten nearly as far as we have,” Hopson said.  “We’ve developed camaraderie and more importantly, we’ve had fun.  Everyone who helped volunteered their time and efforts.  No one was forced to help.”

The efforts of the team led to the command gelling together in support of their local community, said Hopson.

“I’m very proud that U.S. Joint Forces Command has worked together towards this goal.  We’ve seen maximum participation from across the command,” she added.  “We’ve been able to help a lot of people who really can use the assistance.”

Hopson said the team is already looking into having a second food drive next summer.