Feds Feed Families returns to DSCC
 
  By Dana Thornbury
  The 2017 Feds Feed Families campaign returns for its ninth year June 28.  FFF is a nation-wide campaign created to help food banks and pantries stay stocked during the summer months when they traditionally see a decrease in donations and an increase in need.  Last year, federal employees donated nearly 12.5 million pounds of food to food banks across the nation and provided 30,475 pounds to the central Ohio community through the contributions from the Defense Supply Center Columbus workforce.  “DLA Land and Maritime provided 15,277.3 meals to Ohio families in need last year.  Even as the economy grows stronger, there are still too many people struggling to put food on the table. Our goal is to assist more families within the community by exceeding last year’s donations,” said Land and Maritime Commander Navy Rear Admiral Michelle Skubic.  The six-week collection campaign will benefit the greater Columbus community through the Mid-Ohio Food Bank. This year in addition to the traditional non-perishable food items, non-food critical items are being accepted. **Critical Items**
            Chili with beans
                Canned fruit (juice or light syrup)
                Tuna
                Canned vegetables
                Canned meat
                Soup with vegetables
                Peanut butter
            **Prohibited Items**
            Glass jars
                Home-made items
                Home-canned items
                Perishables
                Expired items***Items need to have an expiration date of October 2017 or later***Non-Food Critical Items**
            Diapers
                Personal hygiene items
                Pet food FFF is a completely voluntary effort that allows the workforce to directly impact the community where they live and work.  The efforts support more than 525,000 individuals including 183,750 children and 89,250 seniors who receive emergency food each year through the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.  Associates can bring non-perishable food items and place them into designated collection boxes located throughout work areas or bring them directly to the food donation truck in front of building 20 in the north overflow lot near the corner of 17th and Pershing Ave. Collection times are Wednesdays from 6 – 9 a.m. and                    11 a.m. – 1 p.m. during the campaign.  This year’s goal for DSCC is to exceed 30,500 pounds of food items for the Mid-Ohio Food Bank.  As a way to support the community and build morale within federal organizations, directorates are encouraged to get creative and have fun with their donation collections. If you have an idea for a collection competition or need more information on the FFF campaign, contact your 2017 FFF Captain.*(link requires DLA CAC)*  Another fun way to get involved is to participate in The Build competition. This year marks the second annual Build competition between DLA Land and Maritime and Defense Finance and Accounting Service.  “The Build is a great team building opportunity. It’s a way to have fun building while raising food for the mission,” said Daniel Faltermaier, DFAS FFF captain.  Teams of four or more receive a 7 x 7 space to build their can construction project.  Structures ***cannot*** exceed four feet in height. The cans and their packaging cannot be damaged.  Participants must provide all the necessary non-perishable goods to build their projects and the can art should fall into one of three categories: customer spotlight, American landmark and most creative.  “This is a great way to support the cause and increase food donations. Last year, individual structures ranged from 200 – 1,500 can goods. This was a significant contribution to the overall campaign,” said Misty Wyatt, DFAS FFF captain.  Space is limited and available for the first 11 teams to register at DLA Land and Maritime.  To register, DLA teams should contact the DLA team captainand DFAS teams should contact the DFAS team captains.  A change to this year’s Build is the judging. All associates are encouraged to visit the Cardinal Room on August 9 and exchange non-perishable items for tickets.  Each donated item equals one ticket.  There’s no limit to the number of tickets you can receive or votes you can cast.  “This is another great way to support your fellow co-workers and community while having fun, even if you don’t participate in the actual build,” said Faltermaier.  Important Dates **DLA Land and Maritime Campaign:** June 28 - August 9
    **The Build Competition:**
    Set-up: August 3 - 4
        Viewing: August 7 - 8
        Judging: August 9
    **Award Ceremony:** August 16 Last Year's Build Competition A collage of can art from last year's build competition