People have to eat, and right now there are many obstacles that can prevent people from getting a balanced meal — like long shifts, the reconstruction of the local dining facility and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
For airmen and their families, the 86th Airlift Wing Chapel at Ramstein Air Base, Germany, tried to alleviate these challenges with Operation Grace Delivery, working hard to offer free meals for airmen, their families and those in quarantine as well.
"Our main goal is to provide spiritual support for our airmen," said Air Force Tech. Sgt. Gail Mones, 86th AW Chapel Plans and Programs noncommissioned officer in charge. "At the same time, we are here to provide whatever it is that our airmen need. Right now I think one way to reach people is to serve food."
There have been similar programs in the past, like Operation Connect, which involved onbase restaurants providing catered food; but this time, it is the volunteers who have arrived in overwhelming numbers to assist those in need.
Once volunteers arrived at the Southside Chapel, they were briefed on food preparation, sanitation and safety. After the briefing, they began setting up their work area, assembling their cooking tools and preparing the food.
The Southside Chapel was full of volunteers cooking, laughing and getting to know each other as meals like lasagna, rice and shrimp and enchiladas were prepared during the last six weeks. Even in the casual environment, a lot of work was getting done.
"Today we will be delivering about 70 meals. During the program, we delivered about 380 meals," Mones said.
Once the meals were prepared and packaged, the volunteers delivered them directly to those who requested them. This is pivotal to those who are in quarantine and can’t leave their homes.
With the reopening of Club 7 soon, the 86th AW Chapel team is halting the program to reevaluate how the program can best serve the community moving forward.
"The chapel would like to thank all the people who gave their time to help set up, cook and deliver the meals," Mones said.
(Air Force Airman 1st Class Daniel Sanchez is assigned to the 86th Airlift Wing)