TYSONS, Va.–The PenFed Foundation has made a $50,000 grant to support the Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) to mitigate food insecurities among families of junior enlisted service members serving at Fort Bragg. ASYMCA Fort Bragg will now be able to expand the food pantry program to include a mobile pantry and transition into a larger building to serve more military families.
“Food insecurity affects our military families. We are determined to support our men and women in uniform and their families by improving access to initiatives like ASYMCA Fort Bragg Food Pantry Program. A partnership between PenFed Foundation and ASYMCA Fort Bragg has established food pantries on site,” said PenFed Credit Union Senior EVP and President of PenFed Foundation Shashi Vohra. “No Soldier, Airman, Sailor, or Marine should struggle to feed their family.”
“The PenFed Foundation is proud to support the ASYMCA Fort Bragg food pantry expansion renovation project and mobile ASYMCA/PenFed mobile food truck. We thank ASYMCA Fort Bragg for their tremendous impact on the service members, veterans, and their families," said retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. and PenFed Foundation Outreach Director David Clark. "On behalf of the PenFed Foundation and the many service members, veterans, and families you support, thank you for making a positive difference."
PenFed Foundation and ASYMCA Fort Bragg will be renovating a vacated 20th Engineer Brigade dining facility to expand crucial support to junior enlisted service members and their families. Renovations to the building will include refrigeration renovation, floor repair or replacement and the addition of stock shelving and storage facilities.
"We are honored by The PenFed Foundation's support of our Fort Bragg Food Pantry,” said Executive Director of ASYMCA Fort Bragg Jeremy Hester. “This grant will enable us to expand and serve more military families."
The new location will increase the food pantry space from 800 square feet to 2,000 square feet. The dining facility also has a loading dock which will be beneficial for receiving large donations.