NOVEMBER 29, 2024 — More than 100 volunteers organized, packaged and distributed over 24,000 pounds of food to 600 Fort Cavazos families Nov. 20 at the Main Post Chapel at Fort Cavazos.
The Thanksgiving basket giveaway event provides food to families in need in an effort to relieve some of the financial strain that comes along with the holiday season.
Chaplain (Maj.) Jake Snodgrass, deputy division chaplain for the 1st Cavalry Division, played a part in the planning process for the event, which began in the summer, and was happy to see everyone come together.
“We have a lot of hands helping us to get everything unloaded and get stuff set up,” he said. “It is a huge tractor trailer full of food.”
The baskets featured Thanksgiving staples, including stuffing, cranberry sauce, gravy and crescent rolls, as well as fresh produce, such as apples, potatoes and butternut squash.
“It’s a significant full meal for a family,” Snodgrass said.
The food was provided by the Central Texas Food Bank, or CTFB, who also provided food for the event last year.
“We’re so thrilled to be here because we think it’s important to take care of our service members who take care of us,” said Earind Jackson, chief impact officer for CTFB. “This is such an incredible partnership for us because we show up here and everyone, the volunteers and staff, pitches in and everyone’s so happy and joyful. Everyone feels like family. We aspire to serve our families with dignity, and that’s certainly what happens here.”
The food bank also provides food for the monthly Fresh Food for Families event, which is a drive-thru food pantry initiative made possible by the partnership between the Fort Cavazos Religious Support Office and the CTFB that aims to provide families with fresh food to alleviate food insecurity.
“We’re honored to be here,” Jackson said. “We are truly honored to be a part of this community and do whatever we can to serve those who serve us.”
At 9 a.m. a line of cars that wrapped around the Main Post Chapel began moving through the drive-thru distribution area, where they received fresh produce, their fixings, pies donated by H-E-B and a turkey.
“This has a great impact,” Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Cheun Yoo, deputy garrison chaplain, religious leaders, said of the event, “not only for the chapel here, but also for the whole community.”
Snodgrass said the overall goal of the event was to bless the families of Fort Cavazos and show them gratitude.
“Our intent is to truly serve and thank so many of our service members for their sacrifices,” he said. “(This event) is a way for us to bless (them).”
By Blair Dupre, Fort Cavazos Public Affairs