U.S Submariners lend a helping hand at Foodbank WA

Ambassador Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr. has thanked U.S. submariners for volunteering at Foodbank WA during the visit of USS Texas (SSN 775) to Perth, Western Australia.

Working alongside Foodbank staff, crewmembers today helped sort and package food items at the hunger relief organization’s Perth Airport warehouse for distribution to those in need.

Ambassador Culvahouse commended the submariners for giving back to the WA community during their visit.

“Our Alliance is unbreakable.  We’re there for each other in good times and in times of need.  Australian firefighters help us every year during our fire season, and we have U.S. firefighters in New South Wales and Victoria helping now.  The visit of the USS Texas to Perth and the crew’s contributions at Foodbank are further examples of our Alliance in action today, right here in Western Australia,” said Ambassador Culvahouse.

“U.S. Navy personnel are extremely dedicated in their service, both at sea and on land with activities such as lending a hand here today.”

Joining Ambassador Culvahouse, Consul General David Gainer said the visit was one of many examples of the U.S.-Australia alliance in action in WA.

“The U.S. and Australia have strong defense ties but equally as important are the close connections and shared values between our people,” said Consul General Gainer.

Foodbank WA is the largest food relief organisation in the state, providing over 6 million meals a year to people in need through its network of over 900 welfare agencies and schools.

Foodbank WA works with the entire food and grocery industry to rescue surplus and donated product that would otherwise be destined for landfill and redirects it to assist the most vulnerable members of the community.Increasingly there is a gap between the amount of donated food and the demand that exists in the community, so they also fundraise to purchase the volume and variety of foods needed to effectively fight hunger.

The USS Texas is in Perth for a scheduled port visit, as part of its routine patrol in the Indo-Pacific region.