By Raymond E. Foster, President, San Dimas Rotary Foundation
Sometimes the most powerful projects start with a conversation – and a question. For us, that conversation happened between the Rotary Club of San Dimas, California, USA, and a local women’s club working on a project called Making Spirits Bright. Their goal was to provide Christmas gifts to the children of junior enlisted Marines. But as we discussed our contributions to the project, something far deeper became clear – many of these families weren’t just short on holiday cheer, they were short on groceries.
That discovery changed everything.
We learned that food insecurity affects thousands of military families across the United States. The numbers are staggering: over 22,000 active-duty military families, 213,000 National Guard and Reserve members, and 1.2 million veterans receive federal food assistance. Many major U.S. military installations have food banks specifically to support junior enlisted families.
This wasn’t a distant problem. It was local. And we realized Rotary could do something about it.
In 2022, our club launched the Satellite Rotary Club of Military Family Support, a single-issue, e-club focused entirely on combating food insecurity among military families. Built with intention and community in mind, our club meets online and organizes high-impact, boots-on-the-ground service projects.
That same year, we launched Feeding Military Families, our flagship initiative. We’ve delivered over 33 tons of food and supplies to military bases including Twentynine Palms, Camp Pendleton, Fort Irwin, and Los Angeles Air Force Base.
Each food drive is powered by a remarkable team. We’re consistently joined by over 80 volunteers, including members of Masonic Lodges, VFW Posts, American Legion Posts, Kiwanis clubs, and Women’s Clubs. That powerful coalition includes a growing number of high school students, Girl Scouts, and local business owners.
Everything we do is organized through our digital hub: www.feedingmilitaryfamilies.org. There, people can learn more about our upcoming drives, sign up to volunteer, donate, or just read stories from the field. It’s where our mission comes to life and where we invite others to join it.
What started with a conversation grew into a movement. One satellite club. One mission. Thousands served.
https://blog.rotary.org/2025/05/08/rotary-partnership-launches-lifeline-for-military-families/