Operation Homefront helps military families fight food insecurity during the holidays
MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. (KDKA) -- Hundreds of military families received support from a national nonprofit Saturday to ensure they have enough food for a nice holiday meal.
A survey from Blue Star Families says one in four active-duty enlisted families experienced food security last year.
It's these types of figures that had people there Saturday morning ready to help.
"It means a lot that they're doing this," veteran Amanda Matheny said.
"We're over in Plum, so we drove across town, but it was very worth it," Kelly Murphy, who spent 20 years in the Coast Guard, said.
Two hundred twenty $75 gift cards were given Saturday to pre-registered military families. They may have been tucked inside mundane white envelopes, but it's so much more than that for these families.
"I have an almost 21-year-old, and then my children are 6 and 8, and then me and my husband," Matheny said.
"You know, groceries have been really expensive," Murphy said. "And it's a big help to be able to put that towards having Thanksgiving and Christmas and making it special."
Deb Krall served our country, too. She's still serving others as the "general" of this operation.
"Giving back is great, and then being able to fulfill a need is even better," Krall said.
She and her team, armed in holiday gear, set out to fulfill that need. It's one in high demand.
"I had 200 slots. I had 80 on the waitlist, and then I had people calling me afterward that the waitlist was closed," Krall said.
She and Operation Homefront ended up serving 20 over those slots. The feeling Krall gets is why she and others continue to do this.
"Oh, my goodness. There is nothing like it. There is nothing like giving back," Krall said.
And with every gift card and gift bag, there's a returning gift of gratitude.
"Just the extra help to say, 'Hey, kids, we can have an actual, good holiday meal' means a lot, and we can share it with friends and family," Matheny said.
