The Food Drive and the Combined Federal Campaign
One of the questions Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry was asked at yesterday's work-life town hall was whether folks could contribute money instead of food through the food drive OPM is currently sponsoring in federal agencies. Berry said that agencies can only solicit financial contributions through the Combined Federal Campaign, but explained why he's hoping federal employees will lug food to work, even if it's inconvenient:
"The three months that have the lowest donations to our area food banks are June, July and August. And yet with the economic situation we're facing, our food banks are really under stress, there are people relying on them more or more, especially if they're children. During the summer months, children are not getting access to their school lunch or school breakfast programs."
Berry isn't exaggerating about food banks facing crunches: in DC, for example, Bread for the City has had to seriously go over budget to meet need.
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This is a worthwhile effort, but I'm one of those people who really doesn't want to lug bags of food around.
It would be nice if my agency matched my contributions at https://www.capitalareafoodbank.org/donation/donate.cfm and https://www.breadforthecity.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=184 instead.
Matt the Fed Posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009 7:10 AMI was pleased to hear of Mr. Berry’s suggestion. No only do the summer months experience the lowest donations, but that is when food banks and shelters realize greater demands because school is out and children are not having school lunches. However, glancing at the food items behind Mr. Berry brings another issue to light. Perhaps this crisis offers an opportunity to look at what Americans eat and educate people about good eating habits and how to cook. Real food isn’t simply instant food.
Katherine Papathanasis Posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009 7:28 AMIs this food drive being sponsored in ALL federal agencies? If so, they need to do a better job of telling people, because this is the first I've heard of it.
FDA employee Posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009 8:44 AMGee whiz, send them a check and be done with it. That's what I do - a $100 check 2 - 3 X a year. We are lucky to have jobs and should help out when we can.
Cathy Posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009 9:49 AMIt's sad that there is a need for this most basic type of philanthropy, and many federal managers are not on board. This is the first I've heard about this effort. It would be so easy to bring a bagful of groceries to work to help out, if only senior managers were more supportive and had someone to ask us.
To those who do nto participate because it is inconvenient; please try to consider what a hungry child feels like, then reconsider your strategy.
US Posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009 10:57 AMMy agency told us that they would not provide acknowledgment of donation/s. So, since I itemize, I will be finding another venue instead of this one.
RW Posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009 5:21 PMthis is a nice gesture but when is Berry going to start doing what he's paid for. Right now he's prancing all over DC and NO changes have been to streamline federal hiring and vet preference.
dan m ketter Posted Wednesday, July 1, 2009 9:38 PMWhy doesn't berry donate his entire paycheck since he's obviously not earning it
I have a bag of food I would love to get rid of, cleaned it off the shelves. I will match that with a bag or non-perishables I can buy at the grocery store. Heck I'll even add money. Tax deduction not nice but not necessary. But where in Northern Virgina can I take it? Not here at the office I haven't even heard of a food drive here.
Food Posted Thursday, July 2, 2009 7:35 AM