WGTS Operation Fill the Pantry

WGTS/Wash DC is teaming up with its listening family for one of the most ambitious initiatives ever. The station’s goal this year is to stock every major food pantry in the greater Washington, D.C. area with food to take care of every family in the region. The program has been dubbed, “Operation Fill the Pantry.”  “If you’re hungry, nothing else matters,” says WGTS Community Engagement Director Jitesh Ram.  “We wanted to do something that everyone could wrap their minds around.  Our area is so busy and a massive food drive is something almost anyone can be involved in.”

The WGTS team is deploying key staff members along with their “Hands and Heart” volunteer team to a different Walmart in Washington D.C., Maryland or Virginia each Friday for this quarter to collect non-perishable food items.  In just the first three Fridays, WGTS listeners have already given over 5,000 pounds of food.  “People are in a big giving mood at Thanksgiving and Christmas, but then sometimes we forget that the need is still there after the holidays,” says WGTS promotions director Jerry Woods.  “This is just a gentle reminder that we can continue to take care of our neighbors all year long.”

The station plans to continue the initiative until all of the food pantries are full and able to meet the needs of the one in 10 people in the D.C. area that go hungry every single day.

Pictured The WGTS team celebrates after collecting 21 carts of food totaling over 2,500 pounds at just one “Fill the Pantry” stop.