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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Airport Security Teams Donate Supplies to Locals In Need

The security team at Atlantic City International Airport made a huge donation to the Atlantic City Rescue Mission for the homeless to include blankets, comfort care packets and 10,000 pairs of socks.

One of the security officers of VMD, which is the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) security partner at the airport, reached out to the Bombas sock company, which contributed several boxes of socks in a variety of sizes to the cause, which the group promoted as “Giving the Gift of Warmth” for the holidays.

In addition to the socks, blankets and comfort care packs, which contained toothbrushes, toothpaste, deodorant, body lotions and other personal hygiene items were also assembled.

Last year the security team at Atlantic City International Airport also conducted a collection for a local women’s refuge.

“Working with the Atlantic City Rescue Mission to deliver much needed supplies is an act of kindness that is priceless for those in need,” said Joseph Kunkle, TSA Assistant Federal Security Director for Atlantic City International Airport. “Their commitment to Atlantic City and the surrounding communities may be more important than ever because of the pandemic and the financial burden it has placed on Southern New Jersey. I am proud of the way that the VMD security team came together during the community’s time of need.”

“This group of officers is clearly dedicated not only to the TSA security mission, but also to the community in which they live during this time of hardships that so many are experiencing,” said Thomas Carter, TSA’s Federal Security Director for New Jersey.

Meanwhile, the TSA workforce at Norfolk International Airport has been collecting non-perishable food since July and donating it every so often to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia and the Eastern Shore. The most recent donation put the total at 2,700 pounds, which is 1.35 tons. And they’re not done. The group is planning to donate even more by December 18th, which is the date that the food bank said ensures the food can be distributed to local families in need before Christmas.

“What’s remarkable is the amount of food that we have collected,” said TSA Supervisor Brian Richards, who has been spearheading the collection effort. “So far we’ve donated the equivalent of about 2,500 meals. It has positively impacted so many people in our community.”

The TSA team, which includes TSA officers as well as inspectors and administrative staff, have been donating on a consistent basis and coordinating with the food bank as to when to drop off the goods. They have placed drop off bins near locations where the TSA team works such as near checkpoints, checked baggage area and they’ve even arranged curb-side drop-off area if someone is dropping off a substantial amount of food.

The most common donations include rice, cereal, juice, all types of beans, corn, macaroni and cheese, pasta, soup, ramen noodles, spaghetti, cranberry sauce and even cases of bottled water. He said that canned vegetables and fruit also are popular. Individuals also are purchasing full meals from their local grocery store, which are pre-packaged non-perishable items that provide a full dinner for one person.

This story was updated on December 8 to include the efforts of the TSA team at Norfolk International Airport.

 

Airport Security Teams Donate Supplies to Locals In Need Homeland Security Today
Kylie Bielby
Kylie Bielby has more than 20 years' experience in reporting and editing a wide range of security topics, covering geopolitical and policy analysis to international and country-specific trends and events. Before joining GTSC's Homeland Security Today staff, she was an editor and contributor for Jane's, and a columnist and managing editor for security and counter-terror publications.
Kylie Bielby
Kylie Bielby
Kylie Bielby has more than 20 years' experience in reporting and editing a wide range of security topics, covering geopolitical and policy analysis to international and country-specific trends and events. Before joining GTSC's Homeland Security Today staff, she was an editor and contributor for Jane's, and a columnist and managing editor for security and counter-terror publications.

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