Community Corner

Nonpartisan Food Drive in Remembrance of September 11

Hillsborough County Republican Party officials and volunteers, at their "victory offices" throughout the Tampa Bay area, and at its headquarters in Brandon, is collecting food snacks for troops overseas, in commemoration of the 9/11 terrorist

 

At the Hillsborough County Republican Party headquarters in Brandon, a box has been set up to hold contributions for the USO in its mission to lift the spirits of U.S. soldiers and their families, in this case with donated food items to send overseas.

In commemoration of the September 11 attacks, and in a decidedly nonpartisan manner, the collection is intended to show in a concrete way a nation’s aim to never forget lives lost and battles waged in the aftermath of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“We just want to give the troops a little something so they know we’re still behind them,” said Chris Martin, the local party’s Brandon field director. “We don’t want money, we don’t want trinkets, we just want food items.”

The list of acceptable items for the food drive is noted below. Martin added that food items should not be open and that expiration dates should not have expired.

Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The drive is expected to last throughout the week.

In addition to the party offices in Brandon — at 1602 Oakfield Drive (on the second story, above Martinizing Dry Cleaners) — similar food drives were expected to be held at party “victory” offices in South Tampa, Temple Terrace, Clearwater, St. Petersburg, Oldsmar, Spring Hill and Wesley Chapel, according to Martin.

A nonprofit, congressionally chartered, private organization, the USO relies on the generosity of individuals, organizations and corporations to support its activities. The USO is not part of the U.S. government, but is recognized by the Department of Defense, Congress and President of the United States, who serves as Honorary Chairman of the USO.

Just as the USO is intended to be nonpartisan, so, too, are the local food drives instituted this week by the "Romney/Ryan/Republican Party of Florida team."

"Anyone who would like to donate food can do it," Martin said. “It’s always nice to send them something, to show the troops we’re behind them 100 percent.”

The Brandon headquarters is open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday. For information, call: 813-657-6499.

 _______________

FOOD ITEMS SOUGHT FOR TROOPS Granola Bars Any types, flavors Apple Sauce Six-pack of flavors Snack Fruit Pack Cran-Apple Juice And other assorted juices, in single-serving, 10-ounce servings Kool-Aid Singles To be mixed with single bottles of water Country Time On-the-Go Lemonade Mix To be mixed with single bottles of water Macaroni and Cheese Singles, ready to eat, just add water Cheez-It Small singles Cookies No packages or boxes holding large amounts, keep to 100-calorie snack servings Cheese and Crackers All flavors Cup-a-Soup Noodles, all flavors Pop-Tarts Instant Oatmeal Variety packs Crystal Light Iced Tea All flavors Trail Mix Small, individual packets Raisins Small boxes; white raisins, too Chicken or Tuna Ready to eat snacks, with crackers ("lunch kits") ALSO NEEDED (NON-FOOD, MISCELLANEOUS) Pocket Combs Batteries AAA, AA, C, D Ear Buds


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here