Representing the Oscar G. Johnson VA Medical Center pharmacy department, from left, are Jacob Maxon, Andrew Jodocy, Carole Banos, Candy Schoenborn, and Alex Graham. The department won a pizza lunch for their exemplary time and effort.

Iron Mountain — The Oscar G Johnson VA Medical Center recently collected 1,079 pounds of food items to be distributed to local community members in need of assistance through the Feds Feed Families program.

Feds Feed Families is a program that is initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to the USDA website, 2020 marks the 11th annual government-wide Feds Feed Families campaign, which encourages employees from all federal departments and agencies to give in-kind contributions — food, services, and time — to food banks and pantries.

The local Caring House and The Salvation Army Food Pantry will be the recipients of the collected items from this year’s campaign. Six departments vied for the internal award of a paid luncheon.

Pharmacy won out with a collection of 882 pounds of food.

Since Feds Feed Families launched in 2009, this campaign has collected more than 92 million pounds of food for donation. In 2019 alone, federal employees donated more than 2.8 million pounds. USDA is the designated lead agency for the National Feds Feeds Families campaign for the U.S. government nationwide.

“Our employees are conscientious of the needs of our community and are very giving of their time,” said Jim Rice, medical center director. “They contribute to our overall success and I’m very proud to have them as part of this facility.”