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On Capitol Hill, volunteers load snack packs for servicemembers

Stars and Stripes •
Members of Congress and other volunteers prepare snack packages for U.S. servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019.

Members of Congress and other volunteers prepare snack packages for U.S. servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Members of Congress and other volunteers prepare snack packages for U.S. servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019.

Members of Congress and other volunteers prepare snack packages for U.S. servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., prepares a snack package for U.S. servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019.

Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., prepares a snack package for U.S. servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

A boy watches as Mom prepares a snack package for U.S. servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019.

A boy watches as Mom prepares a snack package for U.S. servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

USO President and CEO J.D. Crouch II speaks to volunteers preparing snack packages for U.S. servicemembers during an event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019.

USO President and CEO J.D. Crouch II speaks to volunteers preparing snack packages for U.S. servicemembers during an event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Nylon bags are ready to be filled with treats for servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019.

Nylon bags are ready to be filled with treats for servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., right, prepares a snack package for U.S. servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019.

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., right, prepares a snack package for U.S. servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

Volunteers prepare snack packages for U.S. servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019.

Volunteers prepare snack packages for U.S. servicemembers during a USO event at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on Capitol Hill, April 30, 2019. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON — Members of Congress and their families joined other volunteers Tuesday in one of USO's most visible — and appreciated — programs, the packing of snack packages bound for deploying or deployed servicemembers.

USO President and CEO J.D. Crouch II told the volunteers gathered in the Dirksen Senate Office Building that about 2,000 of the treat-filled nylon bags would be sent out at the end of the day's event.

According to the USO, 120,000 of the care packages were distributed last year, and more than 2.6 million since 2003.

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