As a USDA employee for over 26 years, my career has taken me to over 60 countries where citizens experience famine and food insecurity. In these foreign nations, food assistance from the American people has served as a beacon of hope and a lifeline for those who have been affected by natural disasters and conflict. I have always been inspired by how the USDA staff worked in conjunction with other agencies to deliver vital food assistance globally.

The need is also high in the United States, as we have many who experience hunger on a daily basis. The USDA similarly uses it vast resources to provide food assistances to marginalized and economically disadvantaged communities throughout the United States. These programs and the inspiring federal employees who volunteer and give food donations inspired me to remind you about the importance of the Feds Feed Families Program.

Feds Feed Families provides food insecure families and the food banks that support them with a boost in person-power and readily available and nutritious food for distribution. As employees in the largest USDA agency, we have an opportunity to positively impact many people facing food insecurities. We all can do our part to end food insecurity, combat the effects of food deserts, and feed the unhoused. I encourage each and every one our amazing Forest Service employees to support Feds Feed Families. Your time and donations will not only save lives, they will demonstrate our leadership and compassion. But don’t take my word for it, a few of my remarkable team shared their reflections on the program, including its impacts on their own lives.

Sierra Talcott, partnership coordinator

Office of the Deputy Chief, National Forest System

As a recent hire in the Forest Service, there are many aspects of the agency that speak to me in how we deliver in our mission of caring for the land and serving people. The Feds Feeds Families Program is a perfect example of this vision. More than 38 million Americans suffer from food insecurity. As defined by Feeding America, food insecurity is associated with numerous adverse social and health outcomes and is increasingly considered a critical public health issue.

As a recent college graduate, I faced food insecurity while living paycheck to paycheck during school and experienced not being able to buy food. During those times, the stress around my next meal was always in the back on my mind, which made it hard to concentrate on my academics. The Feds Feeds Families Program has a ripple effect in an individual's life, like mine, allowing them to focus their limited financial resources on other essential needs and be fully present for tasks at hand.

There are many ways to become involved with Feds Feeds Families, such as sharing the importance of supporting our local communities with your coworkers or finding a local food bank or pantry and donating online or in person. We can also record those donations on the Feds Feed Families hub. Another way to support the program is to volunteer your time at a food bank or participate in your neighborhood garden. As Forest Service employees, we can all be proud of programs like Feds Feeds Families that allow us to make a difference and build relationships within our local communities.

Cara Vasso, partnership coordinator

Office of the Deputy Chief, National Forest System

I used to perceive food insecurity as something that could only happen in extreme circumstances. However, over the last couple of years I have learned that lacking access to healthy nutritious foods can be experienced by anyone. When COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, employment was disrupted for tens of millions of people across the United States. In 2020, USDA classified nearly 15% of all United States households as food insecure, a 1.4% increase from pre-pandemic estimations. My own community felt this impact, and I joined the program Lasagna Love for families or individuals to sign up to receive a home-cooked meal.

When I volunteered for Lasagna Love, I remember being surprised that I was only driving a short distance to an adjacent neighborhood or town to drop off a meal. I didn’t realize that comfortable living situations go beyond just the appearance of a home. This was a necessary reminder that food insecurity is widespread and complex, and it isn’t always easy to detect. Lacking access to healthy, nutritious foods existed before the pandemic and will continue. Sometimes it takes an extreme circumstance to recognize an ongoing issue. When communities collectively feel the impact of food insecurity it creates an opportunity for empowerment to consistently support food security efforts.

One issue that COVID-19 highlighted was the impact of children not having access to school lunches. The Feds Feed Families Program recognizes this, and efforts to ensure children have access to food for their health, happiness and ability to learn are ongoing. Although this year’s Feds Feed Families campaign emphasizes the need for summer donations, the program also encourages donations and volunteer work year-round. Please join the effort of the Feds Feed Families Program by donating or volunteering your time to a local food bank or pantry.

Maya Bhadury, partnership coordinator

Recreation and Heritage Resources

Washington Office

For the past few years, I have volunteered at my local food pantry in the San Francisco Bay Area. The experience opened my eyes to the enormous need for fresh, healthy food donations. Growing up in Silicon Valley, I often thought that facing food insecurity was something that happened to other people—not to my peers in my community. However, over the years I have recognized just how inaccurate that thinking was; anyone can struggle with food insecurity. When I began volunteering with my local food pantry, I immediately noticed the variety of clients and their needs. Each person who visited the pantry had unique circumstances and appreciated the personal approach we took to meet their needs. I’ll never forget the look of delight on clients’ faces when they saw non-dairy milk, gluten-free items and vegetarian options.

One unique aspect of my food pantry was fruits, vegetables and herbs received from local community members’ gardens. These increased fresh produce options and prevented food waste. In addition to food, clients were offered other essential items so families with babies had access to diapers and formula or homeless people were offered canned goods with pull tabs and personal hygiene products.

Donating time or goods to your local food bank makes an immediate impact on your community; it may even be your neighbors or child’s teachers who benefit from your donation. I’m grateful the Feds Feed Families Program exists so I can witness the effects of our collective effort and contribution.

Editor's Note: Provide feedback about this column, submit questions or suggest topics for future columns through the FS-Employee Feedback inbox.