Keith Whitcomb Supports Military Family Advisory Network Event for Veterans Facing Food Insecurity - Bob Woodruff Foundation

Keith Whitcomb Supports Military Family Advisory Network Event for Veterans Facing Food Insecurity

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It is a troubling fact that too many of our veterans are food insecure. To address this issue, we work with partners like the Military Advisory Family Network (MFAN) to address veteran food insecurity.

At a recent event near Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Keith Whitcomb, US Army veteran and Bob Woodruff Foundation team member, joined MFAN to distribute groceries to more than 550 families. Each family received 40 pounds of chicken donated by Tyson Foods, produce, bread, and other items.

The event was a part of MFAN’s 1 Million Meals Challenge, a campaign that was created to alleviate hunger for military families through a multi-faceted approach. MFAN’s first step is to provide immediate food relief through distribution events and local partnerships. Second, MFAN aims to connect families with ongoing support and resources. And third, MFAN is conducting research to better understand and address the factors that lead to food insecurity among military families.

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Whitcomb loved seeing so many, including State Senator T’wina Nobles, come together to package and distribute food.

Working Together to Alleviate Veteran Food Insecurity

“You know what’s amazing?” Whitcomb asked. “We had a ‘perfect storm’ as two of our grantees were working together to make this possible: The Mission Continues and MFAN .”

Individuals from other organizations also pitched in, including:

·  Amazon Black Employee Network

·  Marine Core Reserves

·  Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s Sergeant Audie Murphy Club

·  Nourish Pierce County

·  Military Spouses

Whitcomb is passionate about ending veteran food insecurity. In fact, during his 32-year military career, he often pushed those under his command to seek food assistance. As a civilian, his drive to tackle food insecurity remains strong. Whitcomb is grateful that there are many others who understand the importance of this issue.

“It was amazing to work with community leaders and other organizations to help a small segment of our population that has and continues to defend our country,” Whitcomb said of MFAN’s distribution event.