Edwards Commissary supports Month of Military Child

  • Published
  • By Cherie Huntington
  • DeCA Public Affairs
Since April is the Month of the Military Child, maybe your children would enjoy doing the shopping for dinner one night. Imagine what would happen if you stuffed their pockets with cash and dropped them off, on their own, at the commissary.

Facing the spotlight during their special month, would they pack the basket with healthy items - plenty of fruits and vegetables, lean meat and whole grains? Or would they head straight for the aisles of sweet treats?

Surely they would do you proud, because you've raised them to eat healthy. And this month, the commissary and its industry partners will make it easier than ever to make the right choices at the best prices, for military children and their parents.

The Defense Commissary Agency's Director of Sales Chris Burns said he commends military children for their role in maintaining a resilient and supportive armed forces community.

"These young people are the silent heroes in our military today," said Burns. "Their life is constantly uprooted, but they deal with daily challenges, loneliness and sometimes even terrible loss, all so far beyond their control. Yet they survive and thrive."

The Department of Defense estimates that about 2 million military children have experienced a parental deployment since 2001; and nearly half those coped with multiple deployments.

Recognizing those sacrifices, commissary vendors plan a month packed with fun and goodies. Though parents will appreciate the gift cards, high-value coupons and product demonstrations, youngsters will enjoy donations from industry partners, from basketball hoop sets for toddlers to popular electronic gaming systems.

Also, in late April, commissary shoppers can expect to see colorful "Fresh Fun with Fruits & Vegetables" activity booklets filled with brain teasers and puzzles for little shoppers and high-value coupons for parents, as well as entry details for a Walt Disney World® vacation in Orlando, Fla. There will be six winners worldwide, and the contest runs through June 30.

Families should benefit from the commissary's nod to child nutrition via end-cap displays of canned fruits and vegetables, some featuring more than 40 percent savings. These displays help unite DeCA's commitment to healthy food selections at healthy savings, said Burns.

"Whether it's Month of the Military Child or any other month, we want commissary shoppers to know how much they can save on top-quality, national brand products sold without profit," Burns said. "Shopping consistently at your commissary saves you an average of 32 percent, so you and your family eat better, for less."