Altus AFB provides support feeding local community members in need

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. – Ethen Edwards, Tiger Scouts pack 212, places bags for Harvest for the Hungry on base housing porches to collect Items for the Community Cupboard Nov. 05, 2011. Harvest for the Hungry restocks the Community Cupboard with food and household items that less fortunate families cannot always afford. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Levin Boland / 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs / Released)

Altus AFB provides support feeding local community members in need

ALTUS, Okla. – Members of the Altus community and Altus Air Force Base form an assembly line for Harvest for the Hungry, at the S.G. Hove Center Nov. 12, 2011. The campaign to collect food for the Community Cupboard ran from Nov. 5th to the 12th to assist those in need of food throughout the year. This year’s collection had an estimated 600 bags of non-perishable food items. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marianne E. Lane / 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs-Released)

Altus AFB provides support feeding local community members in need

ALTUS, Okla. – Members of the Altus community and Altus Air Force Base unload a truck at the S.G. Hove Center for the Harvest for the Hungry food drive Nov. 12, 2011. The campaign to collect food for the Community Cupboard ran from Nov. 5th to the 12th to assist those in need of food throughout the year. This year’s collection had an estimated 600 bags of non-perishable food items. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Marianne E. Lane / 97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs-Released)

Altus AFB provides support feeding local community members in need

Published Nov. 1, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Kenneth W. Norman
97th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs

ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- Boy Scout Troop 212 and Cub Scout Pack 212 are scheduled to deliver empty bags to Altus AFB residents Nov. 6, in order to assist with Harvest for the Hungry, a program used to restock the Community Cupboard for the upcoming year. Once filled, the bags are scheduled to be picked up Nov. 13.

The Community Cupboard is a year-round effort by the Altus Associated Christian Ministry Inc. and Southwest Community Action Group Inc., helping feed less-fortunate families in the Altus area.

According to a flyer distributed by the Community Cupboard, over the past 5-years, the number of families receiving food baskets from the cupboard has doubled with an average of 125 baskets given out each month, but donations have not kept up with the need.

"The Harvest for the Hungry is very important because it restocks the Community Cupboard with food and household items that less fortunate families cannot always afford," said Molly Reid, Community Cupboard founder. "More than 10,000 items were donated last year."

The cupboard is asking Altus Community and base residents to fill the bags delivered to their homes with non-perishable food items. The items in greatest needs are - canned meat, soup, canned vegetables, canned fruit, dried beans, dried peas, pasta, rice, flour, canned or powdered milk, sugar, cornmeal, peanut butter, jelly or jam, ramen style noodles, instant mashed potatoes, crackers, hot and cold cereal, bar soap, laundry detergent, toilet tissue, baby food and disposable diapers.

The program feeds more than 3,100 people in the Altus area, Reid said.

Participants who choose to fill the bags delivered to their homes are asked to place the filled bags by their front door no later than 9 a.m. Nov. 13 for pick up.

If your donation is not picked up by Nov. 15 or you would like more information, contact Amy Reyes at 580-482-5040.