Feeding the hungry this holiday season Published Nov. 15, 2011 By Chaplain, Capt. Glen E. Harris Jr. Nellis Chapel NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The holidays are upon us again. For many of us, this is a season to celebrate the blessings in our lives: family, friends and faith. Often times, food is a central part of so many of these celebrations, and there is almost always an abundance of food on our holiday tables. Unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone. Approximately one in six Nevada- households are struggling with hunger and more than 50 percent of the Clark County School District students, more than 150,000 children, are enrolled in free or reduced-price meal programs, according to Three Square, a local food bank. In response to these staggering statistics, the Nellis Chapel is sponsoring a "Feed the Hungry" food drive. The drive begins Nov. 16, 2011, following the 7 p.m. Ecumenical Thanksgiving Service at the Nellis Chapel. This service will include special music, scripture readings, a brief reflection by Chaplain, Col. Gregory Tate, Air Combat Command chaplain, and the reading of the Presidential Proclamation by Col. Steven Garland, 99th Air Base Wing commander. The food drive will end Dec. 2, 2011, at the 5:30 p.m. Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony at the Nellis Chapel. The drive will accept canned goods and non-perishable food donations, which can be dropped off at the food drive barrels in the Nellis Chapel, the Nellis Commissary or the Creech Airman's Ministry Center. Preferred items include high-protein foods like canned tuna, ham, salmon, stew, beans and peanut butter as well as dry goods such as Bisquick, oatmeal, sugar and flour. The goal of this food drive is to collect 2,011 items. The chapel will present the donated items to Three Square following the food drive. For more information about the food drive or to learn other ways in which you can help "Feed the Hungry," contact the Nellis Chapel at 702-652-2950 or visit the Three Square website at www.threesquare.org.
