Meals for the Military

Origins:

On Armed Forces Day Kent’s Market in Plain City demonstrated incredible support for military families by partnering with Operation Homefront and Hill Air Force Base for an extraordinary event. In a heartwarming display of community and generosity, more than 450 military families were served, receiving roughly $600 worth of groceries each. This event, totaling close to $250,000 in donations, is an amazing reflection of Kent’s commitment to supporting those who serve in the military.

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Contribution:

- Over twenty five percent of those serving our country are food insecure.
- Each family received an impressive array of groceries, cleaning supplies, breads and pastries, and fresh produce, a $50 gift card to Kent's, and a smoked meats hot cooked meal.
- Participation with mascots from the Real Salt Lake and Utah Jazz, who handed out shirts, caps, cookies, and snacks, while entertaining the crowd. -Prize giveaways with families winning items such as hunting equipment, sporting goods, propane fire pits, camp chairs and more.

Objectives:

- Help provide supplemental food and supplies to military families who are food insecure.
- Ensure that local military families know that they are appreciated.

Impact:

This event has grown exponentially since its introduction in 2021, giving over 2 million dollars in kind product donations to military families. Each year, the number of families served has grown. In 2021, 200 military families participated in this event. Now, 4 short years the program has more than doubled.

Quote:

“Many representatives from Operation Homefront, Hill Air Force Base, 26 different vendors, many AFS team members, and guests who shopped at Kent’s that morning jumped in to help hand out bags of groceries and fill every truck, car trunk and minivan with so much product that could possibly be fit including back and side passenger seats,” said Derid Kunz. “One particularly emotional moment for me came from a mother who, through tears, expressed her deep relief and gratitude,” said Derid Kunz, director of center store sales and primary AFS touchpoint for the event. “She said she had been uncertain about how she would feed her family for the next two weeks and was overwhelmed by the generosity.” -Derid Kunz, Director of Center Store Sales

Support Statement:

"I am continually impressed by the work of Kent's Marketplace with their Meals for the Military event. Each year the event becomes bigger and impacts more families. When you consider what military families are doing for our country, there is no reason they should be food insecure. I want to extend the highest accolades to Kati Calhoun with Kent's Marketplace for organizing such an impactful event, with over 450 families in 2024 receiving food and supplies to sustain their families, and the needed appreciation."  -Sarah Pettit, Public Affairs Director Associated Food Stores