CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- More than 40 Marines from 2nd Maintenance Battalion, 2nd Marine Logistics Group volunteered at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina in Greenville, N.C., March 31.
“It’s truly humbling that these Marines would travel this far to help,” expressed Christy Simmons, the manager of public relations for the food bank.
The Marines teamed up with children from local volunteer centers to sort through pallets of donated food and to bag sweet potatoes for distribution.
“I volunteered as soon as I found out they needed hands to come out here and help at the food bank,” explained Lance Cpl. Cliff Thime, a water support technician with 2nd Maint. Bn. “I just do what I can. I don’t do much on the weekends so I like to volunteer my time.”
The Marines spent two hours working in the warehouse and sorted through more than seven pallets of food and prepared more than four boxes of bagged sweet potatoes.
“The Marines made a huge difference today,” said Angel Ray, the Greenville volunteer coordinator with the food bank. “This provides us with food to go into our monthly food pantry so families and individuals in need are able to have those items available to them.”
The Marines ended the workday by having lunch with the children.
“For our kids, it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” expressed Jennifiar Roberson, the community outreach coordinator for one of the local centers. “None of the kids at the center have parents that are in the Marines or any branches of service. To be able to interact with a group of them is just an awesome thing for the kids.”
Before the Marines left, the children presented them with “thank you” cards to show appreciation for their service to the country and for volunteering with them at the food bank.