U.S. Navy photo by Doug Davant Kids enjoy the moon bounce at the Dahlgren Block Party.

Nearly 200 residents attended the event. While kids played tug of war and jumped in the moon bounce, adults learned more about the many base services available to them. The event took place in the front yard of 720 Sampson Road, the house that serves as the NSF Dahlgren Food Bank, and residents learned how the food bank works and how to give and get food.

‘‘I wanted to let families know that, with the economy the way it is, when times are hard, we can help,” said Mariellen Curtis, Food Bank Coordinator. ‘‘Some of our families in housing are new to the base, and I wanted to make sure they’re aware of the resources that are available.”

The Dahlgren Food Bank provides non-perishable foods, household products and diapers to those military members that are in need. Donations of coupons and Commissary and Food Lion gift cards are also accepted. The food bank is well stocked after Aegis BMD employees recently conducted a food drive to replenish the food bank shelves.

‘‘I hope we were able to get the word out on how the food bank operates and how to make a donation,” said Curtis. ‘‘Military members can contact their command ombudsman, Fleet and Family Support Center, the Branch Medical Clinic, or the Chaplain to begin the process of using the food bank,” said Curtis.

The Fleet and Family Support Center provided information on the many programs they offer, including August classes on Introduction to Investments, Resume Writing, Computer Basics and Financing the Holidays. Information was also provided on the many programs and services the FFSC supports such as personal financial management DVDs for budgeting, life skills education flyers, brochures on family advocacy, clinical counseling and victim advocacy, legal assistance appointment information, and military retiree guidebooks.

FFSC also distributed flyers advertising a hurricane preparedness class for July 30 at the Dahlgren Base School Auditorium. The class will be held from 2 – 4 p.m. and will be presented by the American Red Cross Rappahannock Area Chapter with assistance from the NSA South Potomac Emergency Management office.

Marilyn Henry, Fleet and Family Support Center Director, was pleased to see so many participants picking up information. ‘‘A number of block party attendees picked up flyers for the Hurricane Preparedness training to be held on 30 July,” said Henry. ‘‘The FFSC mission is to educate and prepare military families living on base for crisis response. Since we are currently in hurricane season, our goal is to encourage folks to get a plan and prepare!” said Henry.

FFSC also holds a monthly event for the dependents of military members who are serving on Individual Augmentee duty. The next event will be a swimming party on July 27 from 3 – 5 p.m. at the Dahlgren Aquatics Center.

While the Dahlgren CPOA prepared hamburgers and hot dogs on the grill, the Dahlgren Branch Medical Clinic provided brochures on nutrition to base families. ATRC sailors that volunteered for the event assisted with set-up and clean-up, and helped create hopscotch and four-square games for children. Door prizes were awarded to several attendees, including Anthony Shiller, son of IT1 Nikita Shiller of 20th Space Control Squadron, who won a bicycle. The bicycle was donated by the Indian Head USO.

Kamryn Sims, a member of Girl Scout Troop 314, was vital in planning the event, as she worked toward her Girl Scout Bronze Award. Sims planned the games for the event and took flyers door to door to base housing residents.