Arnold Junior Force Council helping feed local families through annual Thanksgiving food drive

ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. – As part of an annual food drive, the Arnold Air Force Base Junior Force Council members collected donations for more than 30 food baskets for Coffee County families in need of Thanksgiving meals.

Baskets and boxes were placed at several buildings on base so those interested could donate nonperishable food items for the drive, known as the Thanksgiving Food Basket Program.

“The Junior Force Council is thankful once again for the generosity of everyone within Team Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC),” said Rachel Garrard, Arnold JFC president. “Your continued support and donations this year will help local families have a nice Thanksgiving. The kids at Deerfield Elementary will be glad to see the donations.”  

The Thanksgiving Food Basket Program effort at Arnold began when organizers of the Coffee County Backpack Program for Deerfield Elementary School reached out to the JFC about collecting food items for the holiday.

The Backpack Program is a local charity providing food for students who may not have provisions during tough economic times. Through this program, children in need of food receive a backpack with enough food to feed them through the weekend, each weekend during the school year. As an extension of the Backpack Program, the Thanksgiving Food Basket Program is meant to provide enough food to prepare a Thanksgiving meal, including a turkey, for the child’s family.

The Junior Force Council provides the junior workforce with professional development opportunities and serves as a conduit between the junior workforce and senior leadership at AEDC.

Disclaimer: The Junior Force Council is a private organization which is not part of the Department of Defense or any of its components and has no governmental status.