COLUMBIA, S.C. – Employees at Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) collected more than 11,400 pounds of food and other items over a two-month period as part of the annual Feds Feed Families food and supplies drive. Last week, they learned their donations ranked first nationally among airports of similar size (Category II airports).
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers spearheaded the collection effort. Other CAE stakeholders participated in the event to include airport and airline employees, as well as Customs and Border Protection. The total amount collected was 11,437 pounds and included non-perishable and fresh food as well as personal hygiene and other related items.
The food collected was recently donated to Harvest Hope and distributed to benefit the local community. Prior to the start of the drive, TSA worked with Harvest Hope to identify the types of donations that would be most helpful. The donations were collected and given into to assist the communities in South Carolina that were directly impacted by Hurricane Michael.
Feds Feeds Families, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, takes place annually. This year’s drive at CAE ran from August 22 - October 18. The local TSA team participates annually, and CAE accomplished the same first place ranking in 2017.
Across the country, more than 199 airports participated in 2018, collecting more than 253,000 pounds of food and supplies. TSA ranked first overall in donations and participation among all agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
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