Rita Riddick has witnessed a big, burly Marine with tears in his eyes because someone cared enough to help feed his family. The moment touched her enough that she volunteers full-time at the Navy Wives Clubs of America Food Locker.
Located at Marine Corps Air Station Miramar and operated by the Navy Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS), the Food Locker is an all-volunteer operation that provides food baskets year-round for the four lowest enlisted ranks in the military, E1 through E4.
On Monday, Nov. 12, Chet Cannon, frontman for San Diego blues band Chet & The Committee, is stepping up for the fifth year in a row to help keep the Food Locker stocked for the holiday season with a benefit blues concert at Humphrey’s Backstage Lounge, 2241 Shelter Island Drive.
The Red, White and Blues Fundraiser and Food Drive will feature four San Diego bands and conclude with an all-star jam. Bands include Troy Sandow and Byron Hudson, Dave K and The Road Dogs, The 820 Band with Michele Lundeen, and Chet & The Committee. The $12 entry donation benefits the Food Locker, and nonperishable food items will be accepted at the door.
“It is absolutely crazy that any of our very brave troops who are proudly serving and fighting in war across the globe would have families here at home going to bed hungry. Thank goodness for the NMCRS and those services they provide to military families,” said Cannon.
Riddick estimates the Food Locker, founded in 1990 by her co-chair Peggy Brandenburgh, distributes 30 to 35 food baskets each month, a number that spiked after the October wildfires. “The week after the fires we did 27 baskets, about a regular month’s worth,” she said.
“Just because a husband is deployed doesn’t mean a family doesn’t need groceries,” said Riddick, whose deceased husband served in the Air Force.
She said many situations arise that cause families to fall short of money.
“When the car breaks down, some families have to decide whether to eat or fix the car,” Riddick said. “There are families with Marines in the hospital. That’s the kind of situation where we feed an entire family for up to two weeks.”
Why does Cannon do the event? “If there is something we can do, then we should, in fact do it. With help from my friends in the music community, this is something we can do.” He says the question shouldn’t be “Why do you do the fund-raiser?” but rather “Why do they need this fund-raiser?”
Basic monthly pay for enlisted ranks, before allowances for items such as housing, dependents, clothing or combat pay: E1 – $1,304; E2 – $1,458; E3 – $1,534; and E4 – $1,699, according to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Using a military pay calculator, an E-3 with three years in the service and a family of three earns about $39,000 a year.
To make cash donations or volunteer, call the Family Food Locker at (858) 577-6550. Checks or U.S. money orders can be made payable to NMCRS Family Food Locker and mailed to the NMCRS Food Locker, Marine Corps Air Station, P.O. Box 45339, San Diego, CA 92145.