Across the country, there continues to be a need to feed the hungry, particularly in the summer months, when there are shortages in food banks and an increased need among children who are out of school and not benefitting from school lunch programs. To help address this need, I am pleased to announce the 2012 Feds Feed Families Food Drive. This summer, the Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Council will once again lead this campaign with the support of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and our other agency partners.

Over the past three years, we have witnessed the remarkable generosity of our Federal workforce, collecting an astounding 8 million pounds of food and non-perishable items through the Feds Feed Families campaign. This year, we will continue to support our neighbors, families and communities across the Nation by asking agencies to set their own goals and aim to beat their own best collection totals.

As you know, Feds Feed Families is a voluntary effort undertaken by Federal employees across the country, who take time outside of their workday to collect and donate food and non-perishable items for food banks in their community. In Washington, DC, the Capital Area Food Bank receives collections and distributes them through their network of over 700 partner agencies. Outside of the Washington, DC metropolitan area, agencies are encouraged to support their communities by either coordinating through their Federal Executive Board, or by reaching out to their local area food banks.

To support this year’s campaign, we are once again asking that each agency’s Chief Human Capital Officer appoint a Chair and at least one Champion, who will oversee the effort for your department or agency. The Chair provides oversight of the food drive campaign across the entire agency, from headquarters, down through the sub-agencies. The Champion(s) coordinate the collection logistics, ensuring that all goods collected are weighed, reported and delivered to their destination. Together, the CHCO, Chair and Champion work together to ensure each organization’s success.

Please provide the name of your agency Chair and Champion(s) to Feds Feed Families at fedsfeedfamilies@opm.gov by Friday, May 11, 2012. This campaign will officially begin on June 1, 2012. The 2012 tentative collection dates are: June 27, July 25, and August 29, 2012. Any questions about this event may be directed to fedsfeedfamilies@opm.gov or 202-606-1722. We appreciate your continued dedication and support of this very worthy effort.