With the assistance of area businesses and veterans, members of the Ms. Senior Cumberland County Queens Association will kick off their “royal duties” Oct. 15 for their annual veterans food drive.
They encourage the public to help them gather non-perishable food for the Caring for Our Veterans Food Drive campaign. The Association partners with businesses and organizations in Cumberland County, which will have containers to collect donations for the campaign that ends Veterans Day, Nov. 11.
“Last year Ms. Senior Cumberland County, other veteran organizations and the community gathered more than 1 ton of food and assembled 75 boxes weighing 40 pounds each,” said Ruth Lucas, a member of the Queens Association and one of the campaign organizers. “A fresh ham was added to each box for distribution to our needy veterans and their families, prior to Thanksgiving. Our goal this year is to provide 100 boxes.”
The mission nationwide is to help veterans in the United States, their spouses and children whose circumstances have left them on the battlefield of hunger, and to involve the public in fighting veterans hunger.
Partnering drop-off locations include Food City stores in Crossville and Fairfield Glade, Priceless IGA of Crossville, Crossville Memorial Airport, Art Circle Public Library, Fair Park Senior Center, First National Bank of Tennessee in Crossville and Fairfield Glade, Ace Body and Frame, Crossville Elks Lodge 2751 on Genesis Rd. and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5025 on South Main St.
Cash donations are also accepted and can be drooped off at the Cumberland County Veterans Service Office on Main St. across from the courthouse. Make tax-deductible checks payable to CCVAC – Cumberland County Veterans Assistance Council.
Lucas said there are also plans to collect cash donations at a table outside Food City and other area events throughout the food drive.
“Cumberland County has always stepped up to help those in need, so please, bring your food items to one of the drop-box location and help us reach our 2024 goal,” Lucas said. “Let’s help to make a difference in the life of a veteran on their family.”
Visit www.wc4v.net or WeCare4Veterans on Facebook for more information.