Author: Eric Williams

July and August have been simultaneously sobering and gratifying for many volunteers and staffers at Second Harvest, as we continue to work to reduce hunger in military and veteran communities. It’s sobering to think that the families who serve our country and keep us safe face food insecurity, and gratifying to know that working with our partners, we can alleviate some of that strain and stress.  

Here some recent events where Second Harvest has tackled food insecurity:  

• July 19, we held a Mobile Market at the Mann-Grandstaff Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Spokane.

• July 21, the American Legion Post in Reardan hosted a Mobile Market, believed to be the first in the community. We followed up with another at the American Legion in Reardan on Aug. 26. 

• Second Harvest also held a Mobile Market at the Veterans Center in Spokane Valley on Aug. 16. 

• The Veterans Thrift Store in Kennewick was the site of Mobile Markets July 20 and Aug. 17.

• Fairchild Air Force Base was the host of our July 27 Mobile Market, which was made possible by having both currently-serving airmen and veterans volunteering. That same day, we were scheduled to have a Mobile Market at the Columbia Basin Veterans Center in Pasco, but extreme heat forced us to postpone until Sept. 2.

• Fairchild was also the location of the 2022 Military Family Caucus, co-hosted by Democratic Congressman Sanford Bishop of Georgia and Republican Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers, whose district includes Fairchild. One of the main topics addressed at the August Caucus was hunger in the military ranks, and Josie Moguin, an AmeriCorps member working at Second Harvest, was one of the panelists. 

Our focus on tackling hunger among active-duty military and veterans would not be possible without some wonderful partnerships.  They include the Department of Veterans Affairs and its regional facilities, Fairchild Air Force Base, and the American Legion.  Also critical are groups such as Veterans First, and the Bob Woodruff Foundation, which has made generous financial donations to help cover Mobile Market costs at these events.  

Colleagues at our sister Feeding America affiliate, Food Lifeline in Seattle, are leading a national effort to revise federal policies to help ensure members of military families–especially kids–don’t go hungry.  Learn more about the effort at foodlifeline.org.

Also, the Military Family Advisory Network is part of the coalition led by Food Lifeline and has done extensive research on food insecurity in the military and among veterans. View their work online at mfan.org.

Our active-duty military and veterans have done so much for our country, and we’re pleased to be able to work with partners to provide a small measure of gratitude. We salute you and say Thank You.