MacDill Ques impact with food drive

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Vernon L. Fowler Jr.
  • 6th Air Mobility Wing public affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Each year, there are individuals and families in the Tampa community who do not have the food or resources to enjoy the Thanksgiving holiday, and due to this members of MacDill Air Force Base placed it upon themselves to meet the need.

On Nov. 25, 2013, The Epsilon Mu Mu chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Inc., also known as the MacDill Ques, provided a bulk food delivery to Metropolitan Ministries, a non-profit organization specifically targeting homelessness and hunger in the Tampa Bay area.

"Metro Ministries helps our most destitute, they have a solid vetting system and their values are in line with us as an organization," explains Lt. Col. Wideman, U.S. Central Command and Holiday Food Drive Chair.

The MacDill Ques, chartered at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., in 2008, represent all Department of Defense service members, retired and active duty, DoD civilians and other professionals, in the Tampa Bay area.

Over the past two years, the Ques have partnered with Metropolitan Ministries to provide support to the Tampa community during the holiday season. In 2011, they supported Metropolitan Ministries with 665 pounds of food and 150 toys during the months of November and December. The following year those drives increased to 960 pounds of provisions and 210 toys. In September 2013, they donated 687 pounds of clothes.

This year, the food drive reached a total of over 700 pounds of food.

"It's an honor and a privilege, but most importantly our duty to assist fellow citizens in the community in which we serve," said Wideman.

Additionally, the Ques have continued to make an impact in the local community through several outreach and uplift initiatives including social action, health initiatives and scholarship programs.

The chapter will conclude their year of service with a toy drive, focusing their effort on often overlooked adolescent children.

Those interested in acquiring more information or supporting the MacDill Ques' efforts can contact the chapter secretary at epsilonmumukrs@oppf.org or visit their homepage at www.macdillques.org.