SFS leads the way in successful Feds Feed Families campaign

  • Published
  • By Paul Zadach
  • 934th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
MINNEAPOLIS-ST PAUL AIR RESERVE STATION --  This year's Feds Feed Families campaign by the 934th Airlift Wing turned into a heavyweight battle between two squadrons with wing members donating 2485 pounds of food and supplies to a local food bank.

Leading the way in the 2013 effort were 934th Security Forces Squadron members who provided approximately 1400 pounds of supplies to the overall effort. Responding to a challenge by the 934th Force Support Squadron to make the biggest contribution, SFS proved it was up to the challenge by making the largest contribution of any squadron in the Wing.

"We tend to be very competitive by nature and we hate to lose," said Lt. Col. Ted Ruminsky, 934th SFS commander.

But the real winners in the campaign were the Veterans Enlisted to Assist People, a local food bank that received the donations. The VEAP serves the residents of Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, and South Minneapolis (south of 50th St & west of Cedar Ave). This food bank serves over 7,000 people per month. VEAP was selected as the charity of choice for the 934th because of its direct benefit to communities surrounding the base according to campaign chairperson Margo Schroeder, 934th Maintenance Group.

"It was a good cause to get behind," said Ruminsky. "We simply informed unit personnel about the food drive (and about how FSS personnel said they'd beat us) and told them if they wished to participate, to bring items in, or donate cash if they wished and we'd go buy the items to donate. Many unit members contributed items or cash. We had donations large and small...it all added up."

This was only the second year of the Feds Feed Families campaign and it is scheduled to continue on as an annual event.