WASHINGTON, DC - The U.S. Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack, Capital Area Food Bank (CAFB) President and CEO Lynn Brantley, and Chief Human Capital Officers (CHCO) Council announced that Federal employees donated over 1.7 million pounds of non-perishable food items and essentials to the Feds Feed Families (FFF) 2010 summer food drive.

"We increased this year's goal by 20 percent and kept our fingers crossed. Then we exceeded that already high goal of 500,000 pounds!" said Berry. "While we applaud our employees for opening up their hearts this past summer to deliver a record total, this is just one more stirring reminder of the generosity of Federal employees. Over the last few decades, Federal employees have given billions of dollars to charity, and they always deliver when called to action. On behalf of the Obama Administration, thank you to every Federal worker who donated."

The food drive ran from June until September, lead by the CHCOs and FFF Chairs and Champions in agency headquarters and field offices across the country. The top contributing large agency across government was USDA, which donated 435,535 pounds. National Aeronautics and Space Administration was the top medium agency with 99,882 pounds and Federal Communications Commission was the top performing small agency with a total of 29, 420 pounds of non-perishable items and essentials.

"As we approach the season of Thanksgiving, it's appropriate to recognize how fortunate we are and to help those who are struggling to put food on their tables," said Vilsack. "USDA serves people every day in every way and I am proud of the employees who proved their generosity and compassion again through our winning contributions to Feds Feed Families."

Contributions from Federal employees in the Washington, DC metropolitan area were delivered to the CAFB, which annually distributes 27 million pounds of food to more than 483,000 people through a network of over 700 nonprofit partners.

"The need for the food bank and our partner agencies is greater than ever. We are grateful to John Berry and all the federal employees that generously participated in the Feds Feed Families food drive," said Brantley. "The summer is particularly critical because children are out of school without access to school meals; and donations to the food bank are slow during that period."

A recent addition to the food drive was the U.S. House of Representatives. Congressman Frank Wolf (R-VA), Congresswomen Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC) and Donna Edwards (D-MD) were leaders in bringing the House into this year's drive during the final month. House members and staff brought in over 30,000 pounds in just 30 days.

Director Berry has raised the bar for FFF 2011 and has challenged Federal employees everywhere to donate a pound per employee.

For more information, visit www.fedsfeedfamilies.gov