JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Airmen from the 301st and 381st intelligence squadrons had a friendly competition to raise the most canned food for to the Armed Services YMCA of Alaska food pantry program. The food pantry is a place for military members and their families to get food in times of need with no questions asked.
The race started more than six weeks ago, when Staff Sgt. Erinne Vest, 381st Intelligence Squadron cryptolinguist, volunteered to be a point of contact for the food drive.
"The first sergeant was seeking to give back to the ASYMCA, since they helped a dozen of our members last year with emergency leave and food," Vest said. "So I took it on and came [to ASMYCA] and saw what it was for, and [it] drove me … having a competition between two squadrons."
This contest worked out well, since Vest's husband works at the other squadron.
"I thought what better to pit the two squadrons against each other than to make it husband and wife," Erinne sad. "So I asked my husband to head it up for his squadron, to make it a 'he-Vest' versus 'she-Vest."
While Staff Sgt. Matthew Vest, 301st Intelligence Squadron Morse mission manager, credits his wife with the idea, he said he was shocked to see the amount of donations both squadron brought into the ASYMCA.
"No squadron likes to lose, so I think [the success of this food drive] had a lot to do with it," Matthew said. "You can see the variety of things they brought in, and it shows that they cared what they were giving."
During the food drop-off, the 373rd Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Group Commander Col. Suzanne Streeter said the ASYMCA helped 12 families in her unit, and this is their way of giving back.
"This is the first time that we've been able to do this," Streeter said. "I've been here in command for almost two years now, and it never ceases to amaze me how generous our Airmen are. They fully embrace the community across the board."
The 373rd ISRG contributed more than 300 items, while the 301st and 381st IS donated 2,022 and 1, 441 items respectively.
The timing couldn't be better, said Kyra Mailki, ASYMCA Program and Funds Development supervisor.
"During the Thanksgiving and Christmas, everyone wants to donate, but come spring and summer you don't see it," Mailki said. "People are not donating to the food pantry as much during spring and summer. The usage goes up at the same time the donations are down because kids are coming out of school, people are PCSing in and out, and other things.
"The timing of this is phenomenal. [It’s] right before the kids are out of school, and [there will be] more mouths to feed throughout the day."
In the end, both Vests said while the competition is well and good, they also had to keep in mind that these service members and their families need to put food on the table and this is a way to give back to the ASYMCA.
Anyone interested donating to the food pantry program can contact the ASYMCA at 552-2395.