MARINE CORPS AIR STATION MIRAMAR, Calif. -- For nearly 20 years a group of military wives aboard Marine Corps Air Station Miramar have stocked shelves full of food for service members and their families.
Service members in need are given free commodities such as milk, eggs, bread and frozen food items once a month by Navy Wives Club of America Food Locker. Spouses can also receive items from the facility.
Local organizations, charities and individuals donate food, cash and other goods to the Food Locker. Since its beginning, both local companies and families have also donated refrigeration units and shelving for volunteers to store food.
“Because of generous donations from the civilian and military community we’ve been able to provide for the Marines and sailors here,” said Rita Riddick, co-chairwoman of the Food Locker. “Peggy Brandenburgh and her husband founded the Food Locker after Navy chiefs were found buying food for holiday gift baskets. Some of the food had nothing to do with the holidays, so we gathered the ‘holiday’ food and stored it in a large metal locker to give to those in need. That’s how the name came about.”
Marines and sailors in uniform or their spouses can grab dairy products, bread and fruit on a daily basis.
“We have two-week baskets for the service members who can’t afford to buy groceries,” said Riddick.
Marines who need assistance should speak with their family readiness officer or their staff noncommissioned officer in charge.
Basic information needed includes the Marine’s name, family size and age of children.
“Each basket contains food portioned to last until the next payday whether it is two weeks or two days,” said Riddick.
Marines can request three two-week baskets per year. The baskets contain canned vegetables, cereal, diapers, pasta and numerous other items.
“It’s my first time shopping here and it’s great,” said Aaron Borcherding, a military spouse. “All this food I picked up would have cost $30 at the grocery store. My wife recently delivered twins, so it’s good to see we have extra options for food.”
The Food Locker continuously donates food baskets to service members E-4 and below and their families during the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Baskets are handed out through individual units.
Those interested in donating to the Food Locker’s inventory can contact the volunteers at 858-577-6550 or visit the facility at Bldg. 6013 during operating hours Mondays through Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.