For most of us, the holiday season is an opportunity to come together with friends and family over a celebratory meal, but some families in the local community lack a key component needed to make that celebration a success – the food.
The Naval Academy Brigade of Midshipman worked to change that this year, contributing more than 15,000 pounds of non-perishable food to the Harvest For the Hungry food drive that ended Nov. 30.
The total included 1,800 pounds of turkeys donated by the Naval Academy Chaplain’s Office. Donated funds also count toward the midshipmen’s total contribution as the Anne Arundel County Food Bank gives eight pounds of food per dollar raised.
“Hundreds of families each year are helped through the holiday season and throughout the year by the food collected during this drive and others that the Harvest for the Hungry staff collects,” said Midshipman 2nd Class Shan Mandrayar, the MAG representative who helped organize the drive on the yard.
The drive started in mid-October with the MAG midshipmen acting as middlemen between the brigade and the Harvest for the Hungry staff.
“We make the brigade aware of the need, sponsor competitions, provide boxes for collection, and then deliver the food to the Harvest for the Hungry program,” said Mandrayar.
From there, the food is distributed to families through the Anne Arundel County Food Bank and other charity organizations in the area.
In terms of competition, 30th Company took the lead this year with 747 pounds of donated food, but the entire brigade got involved in the drive, said Mandrayar.
Mandrayar was thankful for the overwhelming response.
“I think it is imperative for us to help those in need,” he said. “It is also important that we as midshipmen become involved in the community that surrounds us. So many people get caught up in life here on the yard and forget that our neighbors are in need.
“Participating in programs like this demonstrates our involvement in this community and helps strengthen our relationships with those outside the wall, as well as casting a better light on service members in general,” he added.
The Harvest for the Hungry food drive is sponsored by Anne Arundel County Public Schools in partnership with the Anne Arundel County Food Bank.
