Marines, chaplain volunteer at food bank; AGAIN! (Tissues may be needed)

Marine Corps News ^ | May 20, 2005 | Pfc. Charlie Chavez

[AZHua87]

MARINE CORPS RECRUIT DEPOT SAN DIEGO, Calif. (May 20, 2005) -- Marine volunteers and the Headquarters and Service Battalion chaplain devoted their afternoons to sort and package food for senior citizens and the needy May 12 at the San Diego Food Bank.

"This is the second time that we have done this project," said Navy Cmdr. Randal B. Craft, H&S Bn. chaplain.

The Marine volunteers, usually from around the depot and Naval Medical Center San Diego, volunteered at the food bank last holiday season.

"All of the work that is done by the food bank is volunteer work," said Craft. "They have a limited amount of employees. It's great for us to come out and lend a helping hand."

The volunteers help families receive food boxes, and the Marines plan to continue supporting the food bank with future visits, according to Craft.

"I decided to come along because it's a way of giving back ........

[AZHua87]

Marines showing care hear in the US.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

Go Marines!

Works for me. I have no problem sharing with those that are truly in need, but those that have made a living by keeping their hand out...not so much. ;)

It's easy to throw a few extra things into your cart when you're at the grocery. Even those of us on a tight budget can take advantage of "Buy 1 Get 1 Free" and keep a box handy to fill with our "found food" each month.

Try it. You'll like it! :)

[StuLongIsland]

Not enough publicity goes to what good people Marines are. Yet not enough publicity goes to the sincere good heart of the guys that serve home and abroad, not just fighing wars but actually helping people in other ways. Not just a bunch of idiots who spend their time being negative about everything in our world.

[AZHua87]

Oh I do! USPS had a food collection day last Saturday and we went out specifically bought nonperishable items and took them to the Post Office (three big bags). No kids, or grandkids but clip the disposable diaper coupons then take them to St Vincent de Paul's (the Catholic Church organization run the Food Bank and Needy Aide store here is town.)

[SamAdams76]

It should go without mentioning that the average Marine lives just under or at the offical "poverty line."

[AZHua87]

That's precisely why I go hunting for these stories to post in the hopes that freepers will email them to friends and families or print them and hand them out.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

See? By sharing with you, you shared with me! I never would've thought to find an outlet for clipped coupons. I don't use them myself, but I'm sure others would appreciate them.

I'm gonna look into that. Thanks!

[AZHua87]

Many take all sorts of coupons for the needy as a tool to teach them how to budget and be frugel with their money. So all sorts of coupons help.

[bethelgrad]

On any given day sailors and Marines are involved in what we call "COMRELs" or Community Relations Projects. It's just that its rare that the media is contacted. Requires some effort on part of the person coordinating it, which is usually a chaplain. But most of us chaplain types would rather do our volunteer work and move on with no fanfare.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the ping!