Military families go hungry

Support our troops, feed their kids:

As the Iraq war marches toward its fourth anniversary, food lines operated by churches and other nonprofit groups are an increasingly valuable presence on military bases countywide. Leaders of the charitable groups say they're scrambling to fill a need not seen since World War II.

Too often, the supplies run out before the lines do, said Regina Hunter, who coordinates food distribution at one Camp Pendleton site.

“Here they are defending the country. . . . It is heartbreaking to see,” said Hunter, manager of the on-base Abby Reinke Community Center. “If we could find more sources of food, we would open the program up to more people. We believe anyone who stands in a line for food needs it and deserves it.”

The base's list of recipients swells by 100 to 150 people a month as the food programs streamline their eligibility process, word spreads among residents and ever-proud Marines adjust to the idea of accepting donated goods.

People interested in donating food, furniture or money to help military families in San Diego County can call:

• Military Outreach Ministry at Camp Pendleton: (760) 908-7043
• Military Outreach Ministries at Miramar Marine Corps Air Station: (619) 843-8964

[San Diego Union Tribune, tipster Flint.]