Helping Military Members Out of Food Insecurity One ‘Plate’ at a Time

Rising costs, especially at the grocery store, mean everyone is looking for ways to save on food items, but in too many instances, that pinch is impacting military families disproportionately. The Military Family Advisory Network found that compared to 2022, food insecurity is increasing among military families.

While military service members have steady paychecks and good health benefits, the reasons they fall into food insecurity are different from the civilian population. For example, frequent moves can make it difficult for spouses to start or maintain a career that would provide a second income. The costs associated with those moves -- such as hotel stays while trying to secure housing at a new duty location or losing equity while selling a previous home sooner than anticipated -- play a significant role as well.

But there is a way to help military members and their families. Feeding America and Navy Federal Credit Union once again partnered on a nationwide initiative to assist active-duty service members, veterans and their families experiencing hunger. No Plate Left Behind allows you to donate to Feeding America by filling up a virtual plate of food online, and the money that plate costs is then donated to Feeding America. One hundred percent of the donations to Feeding America go to food banks with large military populations in their service area.

“Removing barriers for service members, veterans and their families to access food is deeply important to us,” said retired Navy Capt. Keith Hoskins, the executive vice president of branch operations at Navy Federal Credit Union. “Together with Feeding America, we’re proud to continue advancing efforts towards eliminating hunger in this community nationwide.”

Through Oct. 31, 2024, individuals can participate by visiting noplateleftbehind.com or scanning the QR code on No Plate Left Behind printed materials and digital signs at a Navy Federal branch location. Donating just $5 is equivalent to 50 meals ¹ , so donations of any size can make a big impact.

Last year, through No Plate Left Behind, 1.32 million meals were donated to food banks in areas with large military populations. Navy Federal Credit Union team members also took part in the effort, donating hundreds of volunteer hours and more than 3,500 pounds of food to Feeding America and local food banks across the country.

Brandi Gomez, manager of corporate social responsibility at Navy Federal Credit Union, said their employees take part in efforts like No Plate Left Behind year-round. “Whether through time, treasure or talent, it’s part of our mission to connect employees to causes that mean the most to them and provide multiple avenues, including paid volunteer leave, to give back,” said Gomez.

Food insecurity impacts everyone in different ways, but it can be demonstrated by skipping meals, having to choose between buying food or paying rent, and relying on food pantries for support regularly.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture uses a series of six questions to assess food insecurity and considers anyone who answers “yes” to two or more of those six questions to be food insecure. In 2023, the USDA considered 13.5% of all American households to be food insecure.

When comparing the general population rate to the nearly 25% of families on active duty experiencing food security challenges, the disparity further highlights the pervasiveness of hunger issues for military-connected families, and the urgency with which they need to be addressed.

While food insecurity is on the rise in military communities, one of the most treasured hallmarks of military service is the camaraderie and tradition of taking care of one another. Those who serve or have served know the importance of reaching out and giving a helping hand. No Plate Left Behind embodies that spirit and allows military service members, veterans and everyday Americans to take care of those in uniform who may need a little help right now.

Visit noplateleftbehind.com to donate and combat hunger. To learn more about No Plate Left Behind and all the other ways Navy Federal supports active-duty service members, veterans and their families, click here .

¹ $1 helps provide at least 10 meals secured by Feeding America on behalf of local member food banks.