Feeding the Community

Since March 2019, VFW Post 2667 and its Auxiliary have donated more than 15,000 pounds of food to local pantries around their community in Newnan, Georgia.

Their efforts began when Auxiliary secretary and historian Janet Alford joined several others in tasking Auxiliary and VFW members to bring a jar of peanut butter to each monthly meeting at the Post.

“They all thought it was a great idea,” Alford said. “We started out slowly until the members finally remembered to bring their donations. We collected 28 jars of peanut butter in our first month, and then received about 10-11 jars for several months.”

By 2021, the Post had added canned foods, jelly and birthday kits to go along with their initial donations of peanut butter to several food pantries around their community.

To date, the Post and its Auxiliary has donated 6,858 jars of peanut butter, 2,253 jars of jelly, as well as 1,004 canned foods and 186 birthday kits, which includes alternative, self-made cake mixes, to the local Salvation Army, The I-58 Mission, Bridging the Gap and One Roof.

“They are very grateful for our donations and many times we arrive to find they are completely out of peanut butter and/or jelly,” Alford said. “A jar of peanut butter can make a difference in a family missing a meal and is one of the most needed items at a food pantry.”

The Post and its Auxiliary plan to continue to collect donations from its members each month to distribute to local food pantries in the area, an effort that has prompted positive feedback in the community.

“Our local newspaper publishes our photo of delivering the donations each month and this brings not only attention to our local VFW giving back to the community on a regular basis, but gives each food pantry recognition,” Alford said. “While out in the public, many members have been thanked and recognized for our work in the community.”