Leading the Charge to Remove Barriers for Military Families

For nearly a decade, MAZON has made it a priority to understand and address the unique challenges of military families who struggle with food insecurity. It’s unacceptable that tens of thousands of service members are shut out of accessing SNAP and other food assistance programs, and must quietly turn for help to food pantries. And now, the COVID-19 crisis is exacerbating the financial challenges of even more military families.

By the numbers

Food pantries

operate on or near every military base in the U.S.

1/3 of military children

at Department of Defense-run schools are eligible for free or reduced-price meals.

24% of military spouses

are unemployed. This was true even before the COVID-19 crisis.

Tens of thousands

of military families are ineligible for SNAP because their Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is counted as income.

Hungry in the Military: Food Insecurity Among Military Families in the U.S.

Military servicemembers and their families make significant sacrifices for the United States, yet many regularly struggle to put food on the table. MAZON’s report details the persistent food insecurity among currently serving military families. Drawing from decades-long expertise in the anti-hunger field, MAZON offers solutions to end military hunger.

Read the Report
This is Hunger
Stories
Read more stories

“I’m doing all I can and serving my country, and I have to worry about how I’m going to buy food?”

Gabriel, California

“We thought being in the military might be a way out of living paycheck to paycheck… I'm shocked that so many military families are standing in line at the food pantry because they really need help.”

Ashley, California
Take Action

Urge Congress: Support Military Families Facing Hunger 

America’s men and women in uniform fight for our freedom; MAZON is fighting to ensure they have freedom from hunger. Please join MAZON in urging the Biden-Harris Administration to take immediate action to resolve this shameful and long-overlooked problem.

Take action now
Learn More

Behind the Mission: Food Insecurity in the Military and Veteran Population (PsychArmor)

On this episode, Josh Protas discusses food insecurity in the military and veteran population and what organizations like MAZON are doing to bring awareness and suggest solutions to the problem. Read more.

Here Is What Defense Needs to Do to Help Hungry Military (Inside Sources)

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Mounting inflation. The lingering COVID pandemic. Our country’s monumental challenges touch everyone, but they present a unique set of pressures on active military families who struggle with hunger. Read more.

Senators push to expand food aid for low-income troops (Roll Call)

Legislation would enable more troops to qualify by not counting housing allowance as part of their income Read more.

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