Since 2019, VFW Post 2667 and its Auxiliary members have donated canned food and peanut butter and jelly to the One Roof Ecumenical Alliance Outreach in their hometown of Newnan, Ga., as well as Bridging the Gap, the Salvation Army and The I-58 Mission.
According to Janet Alford, secretary/historian of Post 2667 Auxiliary, members are encouraged to bring jars of peanut butter and jelly to the monthly meetings. Those are then taken monthly to one of four community groups committed to helping food insecure families.
“To date, we donate more than 100 jars of peanut butter monthly,” Alford said. “As of July, we have donated a total of 4,848 jars of peanut butter, 1,354 jars of jelly and various canned goods. These donations have amounted to more than 12,000 pounds and an approximate value of more than $10,000.”
Alford said that in 2022, Auxiliary members began making birthday kits to donate to the pantries. Kits include cake mix, party plates, napkins, candles, frosting and pan to bake the cake in. Six birthday kits are donated each month.
“Our members have been very generous with their donations and our food pantries are very grateful for our donations,” Alford said. “We definitely feel like we are making a difference in our community. This is a project that every VFW could to in their community and it would make such a difference.”