Volunteers load a trunk with food at Soldiers’ Angels inaugural food distribution at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON — Soldiers’ Angels distributed food on Tuesday to service members, veterans and their families who are experiencing food insecurity at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington.

With locations in seven cities across the U.S., the non-profit organization that aids the military community expanded its efforts to the nation’s capital, marking the occasion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Phyllis Jo Baunach (middle), board chair of Soldiers’ Angels, cuts a ribbon during a ceremony for the inaugural food distribution at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)

The food distribution event will be held monthly for those who register.

“The food need is significant here (Washington) with the economy and cost of living,” Amy Palmer, CEO of Soldiers’ Angels, told Stars and Stripes. “The food banks struggle here, too, because they’re feeding so many people.”

About 150 military-connected individuals received 75 pounds of food donated by Capital Area Food Bank, Girl Scouts and local businesses. Soldiers’ Angels also provided supplemental products.

“This is what I’d like to see [more of],” said disabled Army veteran Siaundra Hampton, a Washington resident. “The fact that I came back with five bags of food like vegetables, those are very expensive ... this will take out $500 out of the budget so I can do something I want to do versus something I have to do.”

A volunteer lifts a box of Girl Scouts of the USA cookies. Soldiers’ Angels launched a monthly food distribution at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)

A registered participant smiles while receiving 75 lbs of food from volunteers at Soldiers’ Angels inaugural food distribution at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)

A volunteer carries a bag of food to the car of one of the service members, veterans and military families who attended Soldiers’ Angels inaugural food distribution at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)

A registered participant smiles while receiving 75 lbs of food from volunteers at Soldiers’ Angels inaugural food distribution at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)

Rows of paper bags filled with food are seen at Soldiers’ Angels inaugural food distribution at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)

A volunteer prepares bags of food to give out to service members, veterans and military families who attended Soldiers’ Angels inaugural food distribution at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Kaylyn Barnhart/Stars and Stripes)

Around 20 volunteers filled car trunks with paper bags full of fruit, vegetables, bread, cookies, cereal and more, and registered participants drove away with smiles.

“All these nice people put their lives on the line for me. The least I can do is give them a bag of corn,” said Richard A. Miserendino, a chaplain at the University of Mary Washington who volunteered alongside his sister, who serves in the Air Force.

According to Soldiers’ Angels 2023 Annual Report, service members and military families “have a higher rate of food insecurity than their civilian counterparts, with 25.8% of service members reported as food insecure in 2018, compared to only 9% of civilians.”

“I don’t feel that the problem of food insecurity is the problem of the military services. I think it’s the problem of America,” Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of event partner Blue Star Families, told Stars and Stripes. “We are serving this country, and the challenges come from the challenges of living in this country as a military family.”

Army veteran Patrick Michael had never attended a food distribution event before but registered to help feed his two grandchildren that temporarily live with him. He said he is appreciative of the service being provided to veterans.

“I just think that this is a beautiful thing for people to [be willing to] take time out of their life to come together to do things like this,” Michael said.