FLETC Food Drive Nets 3 Tons of Goods

Employees at the Federal Law Enforcement Center in Brunswick are doing their part to supply nonprofit pantries with food for the needy and for individuals and families down on their luck during the nation's economic crisis.

The center collected more than 3 tons of food during the summer months as part of a nationwide Feds Feed Families food drive.

Peggy Dixon, spokeswomen for the law enforcement center, said the 3 tons represent 6,932 individual items that have been collected.

"The food drive is one of many across the nation sponsored by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with Office of Personnel Management's Chief Human Capital Officers Council," Dixon said. "Throughout the nation, federal government agencies pooled their resources to provide food for the hungry through Emergency Feeding Programs."

The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center launched the food collection drive in July and even sponsored several special events - including a pie-in-the-face booth, luncheons and bake sales - to encourage donations. The final event was a silent auction and dessert tasting Thursday.

"Employees donated many beautiful items that were auctioned off to the highest bidder," Dixon said.

Where did the food go? To American's Second Harvest in Brunswick.

"Food insecurity is the inability to access food in a consistent manner and may require emergency food assistance," Dixon said. "In 2007, the USDA reported that Georgia was in the top 10 states with the highest food insecurity.

"This is disturbing news concerning our friends and neighbors."

The food was donated by employees at the center and by the men and women affiliated with the center's partner agencies, she said.