AIRWAY HEIGHTS, Wash. – Several food drives took place Wednesday in Airway Heights to support active service members facing financial constraints during the ongoing government shutdown.
Some service members have not received pay this month, while others have received only partial paychecks.
The West Plains Chamber of Commerce wrapped up its food drive at First Interstate Bank on Wednesday evening. The community’s generosity was evident, with several people donating early in the morning.
At Fairchild Air Force Base, Second Harvest donated ten pallets of food. Tony Cook from Second Harvest expressed the significance of this support.
“It means a ton for us to be able to step in and give the community a big help, particularly our soldiers, our airmen, that need help right now,” Cook said.
As the shutdown reached day 15, many are going without pay altogether. Tonya Murray from the Fairchild Food Pantry noted the community’s response.
“The community has rallied around the food pantry and Fairchild, and Second Harvest is bringing out a second mobile market. The next one will be on the 30th,” Murray said.
Hundreds of military families attended the mobile market, with cars lining up even before it opened.
“The need actually in the community has been steadily growing, even without the shutdown. The cost of everything continues to inch up and people’s budgets don’t go as far as they used to,” Cook said.
Generous donations were not limited to Fairchild Air Force Base. Just three and a half miles down Highway 2, the West Plains Chamber of Commerce was actively supporting service members.
Jim Reincke from the Chamber emphasized the impact of budget cuts and shutdowns.
“With government shutdowns and budget cuts, its really impacting the Air Force members who live out there and who serve here, and we want to help take care of them,” Reincke said.
The food drive was busy, with dozens of people dropping off non-perishable food throughout the afternoon. All donations are going to the Fairchild Air Force Food Bank.
“It’s an event of passion. Having grown up in a less fortunate position as I am in now, I know what it’s like for families to struggle. When they are depending so much on their livelihood coming from one source and that source gets cut, unexpectedly, yet they still have to work – you know, it’s not fair,” Reincke stated.
For those who missed Wednesday’s food drive, donations can still be made to the Fairchild Food Pantry. Search ‘Fairchild Food Pantry’ on Facebook for more details. They accept non-perishable food or monetary donations.
