RED RIVER ARMY DEPOT, Texas-Team members at Red River Army Depot recently donated more than 2,300 nonperishable food items to the Hero's Pantry of Texarkana, a local food pantry that supports veterans.
The donations were made in connection with the depot's Toys for Tots campaign that runs from November to mid-December each year.
Depot Commander Col. Stephen M. York, along with depot Sgt. Maj. Keith E. Green, RRAD Chief of Staff Mike Lockhard and depot Toys for Tots and food drive coordinator Mary Jayne Locke, were on site to deliver the large donation to the pantry in mid-January.
"Many food banks are close to empty following the holidays, so we decided to wait to help restock the shelves of the Hero's Pantry," Locke said. "It's a special touch this year that we get to help some of our local veterans with the donation."
The Hero's Pantry, which has been in operation for eight years, serves veterans in the greater Four States Area, with veterans traveling from as far as Oklahoma each month.
Donations are distributed every third Wednesday of the month at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Texarkana, Texas. Veterans and their families are invited to a free luncheon before distributions.
During the January distribution day on Jan. 16, 95 veterans received boxes and participated in the luncheon.