By Capt. Edward A. Garibay - Combined Arms Doctrine DirectorateDecember 4, 2024
On a crisp winter morning at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, soldiers, families, civilians -- and even Santa Claus -- gathered for the Stronghold Food Pantry Christmas Ruck March at the Frontier Conference Center Dec. 2, 2024, to stuff their rucksacks with toys and gifts before marching to Stronghold Food Pantry to donate to military families in need.
"The ruck march was a fun and engaging way to involve soldiers and bring the community together," said Monica Bassett, founder and CEO of Stronghold. "It's a time to spread kindness, support and positivity."
Donations of toys, clothing and other gifts will support Stronghold's Christmas Depot, an annual event scheduled for Dec. 12-14 that allows military parents to select gifts for their children to help spread joy and holiday cheer while respecting their dignity. Children will even have the opportunity to find gifts for their parents. Anyone who would still like to donate to Stronghold's Christmas Depot can do so through Dec. 10.
"At the end of the day, when you can unite the community and get everyone involved in giving back, it's incredibly heartwarming," said Vince Afaisen, an event participant and second vice president of the Fort Leavenworth Spouses' Club. "It's amazing."
Beyond providing material goods, the ruck march also helped raise awareness about food insecurity and the broader challenges faced by some military families, according to Bassett, who founded Stronghold in 2022.
"When military families are struggling to put healthy food on the table for their families, they are also burdened with the stress and anxiety of not being able to buy new warm clothes for their growing children, or put Christmas presents under the tree," Bassett said.
She opens the Stronghold Food Pantry from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Wednesday.
"Events like this not only provide immediate support, but they also help soldiers recognize what resources are available to them."
While Stronghold primarily operates as a food pantry, its mission extends far beyond just providing food. The organization hosts year-round events similar to the Christmas Ruck March and Christmas Depot to support families in need.
Stronghold partners with a variety of local organizations, including the Fort Leavenworth Spouses' Club and the School of Advanced Military Studies. In fact, a large group of ruck march participants were SAMS students.
"One of the key things we try to instill in our students is not only a sense of service to the country, but also a sense of service to the community," said Col. Dwight Domengeaux Jr., SAMS director, who participated in the event. "What we're doing here is an expression of our service to the community."
The Stronghold Food Pantry is located in the Armed Forces Insurance building at 655 Biddle Blvd. on Fort Leavenworth.
For more information on the organization and how to volunteer, donate or sign up for the Christmas Depot, visit www.strongholdfoodpantry.org.