JHQVAMC collects more than 10 tons of Food for donation
MOUNTAIN HOME, Tenn.— Employees at James H. Quillen VA Medical Center (JHQVAMC) collected more than 21,500 pounds of food as part of Veteran Administration’s annual Feds Feed Families (FFF) Food Drive campaign, exceeding last year’s amount by more than one thousand pounds.
The campaign is part of a government-wide effort led by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) with the support of the Chief Human Capital Officers Council, the Veterans Health Administration’s Center for Development & Civic Engagement, and other Federal agency partners. The campaign officially ran from June 27 through September 30, 2022.
The FFF campaign works to help those in need of food. Employees of the federal government and their families can help by volunteering their personal time or donating other in-kind contributions. This year’s drive highlighted the need for donations during the summer months to help support children who receive free and reduced-price meals during the school year, but may have little access to food while school is not in session.
JHQVAMC food drive organizers, Natalie Reedy and Jeremy Simerly, led efforts across the medical facility. Reedy said every donation makes a difference and is an opportunity to give back to the community.
JHQVAMC’s Environmental Management Service (EMS) donated 7,821.5 pounds of food for the drive, winning first place in the medical center’s annual internal competition for the fifth consecutive year.
Timothy Palmer, EMS supervisor, spearheaded the service’s efforts, coordinating his traditional partnership with a local grocery store. Each year, Palmer coordinates collection and transportation of food from the store to JHQVAMC’s weigh station and collection point.
Palmer hopes to continue the tradition, stating “What is great with the competition is that every time we win, the other services want to beat EMS. That means more is given to the cause.”
“To be able to help others, that is what it is all about, and I am glad to do that,” he said. This year’s competition saw many competitors. Social Work placed second in the competition, Director’s Suite placed third, Prosthetics service placed fourth.
Nursing service received honorable mention for developing a creative approach this year that significantly increased their donation amount from last year. Nursing, inspired by the 2012 film “The Hunger Games,” divided their service into groups labeled “districts” to compete amongst themselves for their contribution. Medical Center Director Dean B. Borsos presented EMS the Director’s Cup trophy for first place during a ceremony October 12, 2022. He thanked employees for their participation, noting the total weight of the JHQVAMC donation.
“Our donation was one-eighth of national contribution,” said Director Borsos. “That is outstanding.”
For more information contact the JHQVAMC Public Affairs Officer at 423-926-1171 ext. 7126 or Joshua.higgins@va.gov.