SCMFO’s primary mission continues to be to respond to the day-to-day requests for emergency assistance—including unexpected and un-budgeted financial challenges. During 2022 we provided more than $65,000 in Direct Assistance to military families. This assistance included purchasing Commissary and MCX Cards for food and gas, other gift cards, infant and toddler clothing, diapers and wipes, paying for major car repairs, non-covered medical and dental expenses, emergency compassionate travel expenses and purchasing air conditioners or air purifiers to help children with respiratory illnesses. We have learned that the needs are endless for families at the pay grade of E6 and below who have a hard time making ends meet each month, let alone paying for unexpected, unbudgeted emergencies.
SCMFO’s claim to fame (especially on base) remains our annual Thanksgiving Meal giveaway providing 1,000 families turkeys and all the fixings they need for a great Thanksgiving dinner! These costs exceeded $43 per meal in 2022! Additionally during 2022, SCMFO spent another $14,000 for morale events targeting other non-emergency needs of military families. Two of our biggest events during 2022 were the Baby Shower for 40-plus expectant military moms in January and the Parent & Child Luau for 100 in July. We have also had Valentine’s Day, Easter, Father’s Day and Back-to-School events - among others - in the recent past. Also, when SCMFO is approached by caring community groups with similar objectives, we do whatever we can to facilitate their projects (or ministries) to benefit the families we serve.
