EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Over 200 soldiers from Fort Bliss dedicated their time and energy to support the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank on Saturday, Aug. 23, as they volunteered at the United in Service event.
-
Sgt. Marasia Anne Olang (middle), the President of the Fort Bliss Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) Program, leads volunteer efforts from Fort Bliss soldiers during the “United in Service” event at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank Aug. 23, 2025. Over 200 soldiers volunteered their time at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, packaging food items for distribution. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. William McGehee) -
A member of the Fort Bliss Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) Program sorts and prepares food items for distribution during the “United in Service” volunteering event at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank Aug. 23, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. William McGehee) -
Soldiers from the Fort Bliss Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) Program listen to opening comments given by Brig. Gen. Rory Crooks, the 1st Armored Division Deputy Commanding General for Operations, during the “United in Service” volunteering event at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank Aug. 23, 2025. Brig. Gen. Crooks spoke about the importance of volunteering and the positive impact that it makes in the El Paso community. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. William McGehee) -
Soldiers from the Fort Bliss Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) Program, Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC) and the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy volunteer their time preparing food items for distribution during the “United in Service” event at the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, Aug. 23, 2025. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. William McGehee) -
Mr. Lonnie Valencia, Director of Communications and Marketing for the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, briefs Fort Bliss senior leaders and students from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy on El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank operations Aug. 23, 2025. Mr. Valencia explained how the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank combats food insecurity by providing education about healthy food choices in addition to serving food. (U.S. Army photo by Maj. William McGehee)
This initiative, organized through the Fort Bliss Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers (BOSS) program and the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club (SAMC), “highlighted the commitment of America’s service members to serving their local community,” Fort Bliss said in a news release.
Founded in 1989, the BOSS program aims to enhance the quality of life and meet the needs of single soldiers, single parents, and geographical bachelors by offering support and a variety of opportunities, according to the news release.
The SAMC is an organization that recognizes top noncommissioned officers, selected through a four-phase process that tests leadership knowledge and character.
“The relationship between El Paso and Fort Bliss has always been a neighborly one,” Celeste Varla, director of government relations for El Pasoans Fighting Hunger Food Bank, said. “We are grateful for you being here and today represents an additional layer of that foundation of community, friendship and service.”
El Paso faces one of the highest food insecurity rates in the U.S., with about one in three residents struggling to access consistent, nutritious meals.
El Pasoans Fighting Hunger is the only food bank in the region and one of the top 10 in the country, distributing millions of meals annually to families in need, according to the news release.
“There are a thousand things you could be doing on a Saturday morning,” Brig. Gen. Rory Crooks, deputy commanding general of operations for the 1st Armored Division, said. “This really speaks to the character of all the soldiers and volunteers we have here today.”
During the event, soldiers helped prepare and distribute food packages, organized supplies, and assisted in logistics to ensure the food bank could meet the needs of local families.
“In the Army we’re always going to have food on our table, and some people in the civilian world are not always going to have access to the food they need,” Spc. Trevor Gunyan, 21, a military police officer with the 212th Military Police Company, said. “My family had to seek help from food banks, so I understand the necessity to get food to the people that need it.”
The soldiers’ volunteer efforts made a measurable impact, contributing to the movement of six semi-truck loads filled with 118,960 pounds of beverages and 33,150 pounds of fresh produce – totaling more than 152,000 pounds of food prepared to be distributed to families across El Paso.
“The participation of Fort Bliss soldiers underscores the Army’s core value of selfless service and strengthens the installation’s long-standing partnership with the city of El Paso,” read the news release.
Read: Read More