For many active-duty military members, hunger is a reality. Service members and their families experience food insecurity in the United States every day. This holds true for our Veterans. The Veterans’ age and era of service play a role in food security. Younger and middle-aged veterans are somewhat more likely to be food insecure according to research from the USDA-ERS and IMPAQ International. Some studies show higher food insecurity among veterans in the U.S. Wars in Iraq and Afghanistan than among all veterans.
When families are unable to consistently afford or access adequate meals, they face challenges. Too many military and veteran families are facing this challenge, skipping meals, making difficult choices between buying food or other essential items and having to lean on food pantries. Frequent mandatory moves, occupational military spouses and the low pay scale for enlisted members also contributes to food insecurity. Food insecurity can cause health issues for our service members and negatively impact military readiness.
SDFM Buckeye Chapter wants to help conquer food insecurity for our military, veterans, their families and survivors.
Join us on: Saturday, February 7, 2026
From: 9am – 1pm Drive Up - Drop Off (no need to get out of your vehicle volunteers will unload and take your donation into the pantry).
At: The Ohio National Guard Regional Training Institute (RTI)
Building 1 at the DSCC Base (on Pershing Ave across from the Golf Range)
“Meals” is the focus for this year's “Souper Bowl”
We’d like to create meals with the donations, consider purchasing items to make a complete meal, below are some samples (but we’ll accept all non-perishable food products, cleaning supplies and personal hygiene items).
Breakfast: Pancake Mix + Syrup; Box of Cereal + Powdered or shelf-stable milk (doesn’t require refrigeration), Instant Oatmeal packets + fruit cups
Lunch/Dinner: Canned Chili + a can Fiesta Corn + Corn Muffin Mix + can/jar of Cheese + bag of Corn Chips; Spaghetti + Sauce + canned Vegetables + shelf stable Parmesan Cheese; Canned Tuna + Box of Tuna Helper + Bread Crumbs
Celebration/Desserts: Cake Mix + Can of Soda/Pop + Container of Icing + Birthday Candles + Sprinkles (Cake you add a can of soda forms the batter to bake no other ingredients needed); Cake Mix + Large box of Jello (Poke Cake);
Spices: Salt, Pepper, Garlic, Italian Seasonings, Rosemary, Thyme, etc… Oils: Canola, Avocado, etc.
**Expired food items cannot be accepted**
Volunteers are needed to support this event: Duties include unloading the vehicles and bringing items into the building and putting items on the shelves. Don’t let weather deter you from helping, we do rotate the volunteers from being outside to inside. If you have a student needing some community service hours for school, this is a great opportunity for them to help, organize a collection of food items before bringing it, and help us the day of the event. SDFM Buckeye Chapter will issue a volunteer letter for those needing it.
For questions please reach out to Terri Hilton (TerriHiltonETTInc@gmail.com)