Marine Corps Base Quantico Marines, sailors and their families are doing their part to make sure their fellow service members don’t go hungry this holiday season.

Members of the base contemporary Christian, traditional Christian and Catholic congregations raised more than $5,000 earlier this month during a special offering to help families purchase Thanksgiving meals.

“I think we have all been there when things are tight,” said Cmdr. Jeff Etheridge, deputy base command chaplain. “I think there’s a real desire across the Marine Corps and the Navy to take care of our own.”

After receiving the offering, the funds were donated to the Quantico Officers’ Spouses’ Organization, a non-profit organization, who donated an additional $1,000 before purchasing food vouchers from the commissary.

“It’s a very important program,” said Julie McWilliams, chaplain with the QOSO. “We don’t want any Marine family to go hungry during the holidays.”

QOSO will deliver the vouchers to unit leaders Friday for distribution to those throughout their ranks who qualify. Eligibility requirements for those receiving the vouchers include rank, number of dependents and number of household incomes.

“During these times, food is more expensive, even at the Commissary,” said McWilliams. “It’s hard to feed a family of four. This is a way the community can give back to its own community.”

Event coordinators have a message for those receiving the vouchers too. They encourage those who can, to take advantage of the opportunity.

“This is an opportunity for Marines to receive,” said Etheridge. “Giving isn’t possible if there’s not someone to receive on the other end.”

Although it’s too late to participate in the Thanksgiving donations, the organizers plan to do a similar drive for Christmas.

There is a larger group to help in December, said McWilliams. So there will be a bigger need.

Those interested in donating to the Christmas collection can send a check by Dec. 1, to the Chaplain’s Office at 3250 Catlin Ave., Suite 112, or can donate to the QOSO. For information, visit qoso.org.

Correspondent: samuel.l.ellis@usmc.mil