Department of Energy employees unite for charitable cause

OAK RIDGE, Tenn. – Earlier today, U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) employees donated 11,437 pounds of food to the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee. The donation was part of the national Feds Feed Families campaign.

This is the third year the DOE’s Oak Ridge site has participated in the annual summer campaign, which helps replenish local food banks and raises awareness about the prevalence of hunger nationally. Under the direction of DOE’s local federal employee mentor program, the campaign has surpassed 11,000 pounds in food donations for three consecutive years.  

“It is very encouraging to see the way our co-workers have embraced and supported this initiative,” said Aaron White, a mentor program participant who coordinated this year’s food drive. “Despite other commitments and responsibilities, our co-workers remained attentive to the needs of the less fortunate and provided assistance.”

DOE employees gave all food donations to the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee, which provides food, services, and education to an 18-county area. Donations to Second Harvest support the non-profit organization’s mission to provide nutritional needs for all people at risk of hunger.

“Our annual donations, through programs like the Feds Feed Families program, are an excellent reflection of our employees’ involvement and concern for the well-being of East Tennessee,” said Oak Ridge Office Manager Larry Kelly.

Since the program began in 2009, the Feds Feed Families campaign has collected more than 8 million pounds of food and non-perishable items nationally. More information about the initiative is available at www.fedsfeedfamilies.gov.

-DOE-

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