Product Manager Force Protection Systems (PM FPS) and Product Manager Biometrics (PM Biometrics) employees unload food at the Fort Belvoir Food Pantry, after collecting more than 1,000 items. (Photo Credit: Sibyll Jones)
‘Giving back is always a worthy effort’: Fort Belvoir Employees Hold Food Drive
Product Manager Force Protection Systems (PM FPS) and Product Manager Biometrics (PM Biometrics) employees recently came together to support local service members and their families through a food drive benefiting the Army Community Services (ACS) food pantry at Fort Belvoir, Va.
The goal of the food drive was simple: To give back to those who give so much to all of us. Through this effort, PM FPS and PM Biometrics employees demonstrated their appreciation for the Soldiers and their families.
Sibyll Jones, a senior program analyst with PM FPS, participates in food drives in her local community and wanted to help others during the recent furlough.
“I have so many blessings in my life, giving back is always a worthy effort,” Jones said.
Over the course of two weeks, Jones organized efforts for the two offices to collect 963 items to help military families. Donations included canned vegetables, rice, pasta, cereal and other pantry staples, along with personal care items.
Several PM FPS employees delivered the collected items to the pantry on November 13. They were greeted by Tammye Braddy, Chief of Fort Belvoir ACS, and several food pantry employees.
In 2023, Fort Belvoir ACS made history by launching the Army’s first-ever food pantry, providing critical staples to the community. The food pantry complements other efforts such as Thanksgiving food drives, and holiday giveaways.
PM FPS and PM Biometrics food drive contributions helped restock shelves and ensure the food pantry continues to meet community needs.
“The final day of the food drive brought many of my coworkers together,” Jones said. “We loaded vehicles, took pictures and stood proud together in what we accomplished. Then, delivering to the ACS and seeing all their employees’ smiles was an added bonus.”
By M. Scott Bortot, StratCom Analyst, QED Systems