NOVEMBER 23, 2022 — Inside the Spirit of Fort Hood Chapel, U.S. Soldiers, Veterans, and Civilians alike joined together with several food banks from as far as Austin to make the holidays a little easier for families in need during the annual Turkey Basket Distribution on Fort Hood, Texas, November 14, 2022.
“Going on since 2009,” said Sgt. First Class Ryan Songer, the Project Officer for 2022 Turkey Basket Distribution, “the event is entirely volunteer ran from the Onion Creek Community to local food banks donating food to fill 600 baskets for family and Soldiers in need.”
Soldiers and Veterans gathered at each table station to place food in bags to create baskets of traditional American Thanksgiving meals ready to be picked up by those in need.
“We did our time and it’s now our time to give back,” said Mike Jackson, a volunteer and U.S. Navy veteran from American Legion Post 326 as he placed cans of food in paper bags. “It’s what we do and it’s a good thing to do.”
The good sentiment was also shared by a Soldier distributing baked goods in another section.
“It feels amazing to provide food to families in need,” said Pvt. First Class Juda McCoy, a volunteer from U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hood. “You’d never expect to feed people on your own but being able to help each and every station, working as a team we are able to help so many.”
“It’s a great opportunity to see unit ministries and volunteers volunteer their time to help those in need,” Songer said.
Traditions like these continue to uphold the Army values of loyalty, selfless service, and personal courage to volunteer and help people within the community who need it the most.
By Sgt. Ryan Barnes