Johnson Team Pops Trunks, Donates Virtually to Combat Hunger

NASA Johnson Space Center joined in a collaborative, online effort, in partnership with other NASA centers and federal agencies, to combat hunger. This year, the annual Feds Feeds Families drive was more important than ever, answering the call to stock local food pantries that have been sharply impacted due to the pandemic’s cascading effects on the economy.

Credits: NASA/James Blair

While COVID-19 forced the campaign to be a mostly virtual affair, the end of the food drive culminated with newly contactless Stuff the Truck event on Aug. 21. At the Gilruth, Johnson team members could drive up and pop their trunks for the masked-up volunteers, who would unload the donations for the Galveston County Food Bank truck. As part of the campaign, there was also a presentation by Gary Oppenheimer, CNN Hero and founder of the Ample Harvest organization, on the ways in which home gardeners could grow, harvest, and donate fresh fruits, vegetables, herbs, and nuts to local food pantries.

The need is great. The center set a goal of 40,000 pounds by Aug. 28, which the Johnson team obliterated by sheer force of generosity. Overall, Johnson donated 197,777 pounds overall, including the numbers from Stuff the Truck, equaling 118,000 meals for families in need. Of that substantial figure, direct donations benefitting the Galveston County Food Bank and local community totaled approximately 37,000 pounds.

Even in this most difficult hour, the Johnson team showed that they can not only unite — but unite online — to feed families in the community. Thank YOU!

Click through more photos from Stuff the Truck, below.