Support Military Families Facing Food Insecurity

When Awareness Met Action: How Stronghold Supported Military Families During the Government Shutdown

Even when the government is operating normally, many military families face food insecurity. During the 43-day government shutdown from October 1 through November 12, 2025, that need became even more urgent.

At Stronghold Food Pantry’s brick-and-mortar location in Fort Leavenworth, the number of military families seeking support increased by 335%. A typical month of serving 115 families surged to 496 families in October alone.

For Stronghold, this moment made the mission even clearer: military families deserve immediate relief, reliable support, and dignity during periods of uncertainty.

Meeting urgent needs with dignity

Stronghold responded with urgency and care. Families received fresh groceries in a welcoming, confidential environment, along with clear guidance on SNAP and WIC resources to help them make informed decisions during a stressful time.

Stronghold also introduced a new resource to help families stretch pantry staples further. Volunteer Emily Kubik brought The Shelf-Stable Chef Cookbook to life — creating a collection of simple, nourishing, pantry-friendly recipes designed to support families through emergencies and unexpected gaps in resources.

This support was about more than food. It was about helping families plan, feel seen, and move through uncertainty with a little more stability.

A community that showed up

The Stronghold community responded in powerful ways.

Volunteers stepped forward to extend pantry hours, stock shelves, and help ensure families could continue accessing the support they needed. Local families donated bulk food. Leavenworth High School JROTC organized food drives. MacArthur Elementary led a Thanksgiving holiday drive. Local organizations rallied around military families when the need was growing quickly.

Rapid Response Charities and American Legion Auxiliary, Kansas Unit 370, donated turkeys, pies and additional items to help bring Stronghold at the Table to life.

Because of this collective effort, Thanksgiving meal kits were packed with intention and care. Each kit included everything needed for a full holiday meal, allowing 60 military families at Fort Leavenworth to share Thanksgiving dinner during a difficult season.

Stronghold’s nationwide Ambassadors extended this same spirit of care beyond Fort Leavenworth, helping military families across the country feel supported during Thanksgiving.

Building lasting support beyond the shutdown

The shutdown also brought new momentum and strengthened Stronghold’s ability to serve long term. New partnerships formed with Wounded Warrior Project, Veterans PCS and Boost Giving, expanding the network of support available to military-connected families.

Stronghold’s work also reached national audiences. Founder and CEO Monica Bassett joined CNN News Central’s John Berman to share the realities military families face during times of uncertainty. She later returned to CNN World with Zain Asher and Bianna Golodryga to continue raising awareness. Stronghold was also featured in TIME, which highlighted the surge in families seeking support as both humbling and heartbreaking.

These moments helped bring visibility to an issue many families experience quietly.

Awareness must lead to action

At Stronghold, we believe every military family deserves dignity and compassion — especially during periods of uncertainty.

The shutdown reminded us that food insecurity among military families is not a distant issue. It is real, present, and often hidden behind the public image of stability associated with military service.

But it also reminded us of what is possible when people choose to act.

Volunteers showed up. Donors gave. Schools, organizations, and military families came together. Stronghold stood in the gap, and because of this collective effort, more families received the support they needed when they needed it most.

This is what happens when awareness meets action.

We are Stronghold.