The Greater Fayetteville Chamber Military Affairs Council presents Operation Patriot Pantry on Nov. 19, bringing the community together to replenish the Armed Services YMCA pantry serving Fort Bragg soldiers and families.
On the day of the first Operation Patriot Pantry drive, people who came to Highland Shopping Center began returning with carts loaded with food for the moving van. Jami McLaughlin, the Greater Fayetteville Chamber’s director of government relations and military affairs, recalled: “The people that saw what we were doing, saw our banner, saw the TV cameras, went in and brought out buggies full to fill up the truck.”
Local businesses also brought checks, which went directly to the Armed Services YMCA.
The first drive began in November 2025, during the government shutdown and furloughs. McLaughlin said the council has supported the local military community for nearly 75 years. The fall social was a longstanding council gathering, and in some years it was a formal event. It was already in the works when furloughs began. The Chamber’s release says this year’s pantry drive responds to current financial pressures and the need for immediate, tangible support in the Fort Bragg community.
“This isn’t a good look to have a party when others need us,” McLaughlin recalled the group saying. The council canceled the social and created a food drive to help alleviate the financial burden on soldiers and their families.
As a former military spouse, I know the assumption that military families are immune to financial hardship does not reflect every family’s reality. A delayed or abruptly interrupted paycheck can make basic needs, including groceries, harder to manage. That strain can arrive with little warning, forcing families to rethink how they will cover everyday expenses. A food pantry can provide practical support at that moment, and donations help the YMCA keep food and hygiene supplies available to families.
“The first one exceeded our expectations,” McLaughlin said. “When you ask for help in this community, help arises.”
McLaughlin said Blue Star Families, the presenting sponsor for the initial drive, had recently filled the Armed Services YMCA pantry, but supplies were depleted quickly. Operation Patriot Pantry helped replenish it and showed how quickly the need could return.
The Armed Services YMCA operates the main food pantry on post and has the means to get donations to families who need them, McLaughlin said. Its role connects community donations with families already served through the pantry.
“Our soldiers look out for us day to day, and this is our turn to give back,” McLaughlin said.
Retired U.S. Army Col. Rob Patton, the 2026 Military Affairs Council chair, described the effort in the Chamber’s press release: “Our mission with the Military Affairs Council has always been to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our military community. Right now, the most meaningful way we can do that is by easing the immediate financial strains on our Fort Bragg soldiers and their families.”
In the same press release, Nat Robertson, president and CEO of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber, said, “The families stationed at Fort Bragg give everything to protect our country’s freedom day in and day out.” He added, “This food drive is a way for the Greater Fayetteville business community to show our profound gratitude.”
Local businesses backed that gratitude with action during the first drive. McLaughlin recalled Texas Roadhouse’s Rob Daniels decorating the restaurant’s parking lot with yellow ribbons in support of the military and offering a free appetizer to anyone who donated canned goods to the pantry there. Chick-fil-A brought lunch, and Tropical Smoothie brought smoothies.
“It’s pretty awesome how this community comes out and supports those who sacrifice every day for us,” McLaughlin said.
At the Military Affairs Council’s June 2026 Pickleball Tournament, players brought canned goods alongside their competition. McLaughlin said pantry needs can ebb and flow. The first collection helped restock supplies, but demand used them quickly. The tournament gave players another opportunity to contribute food, and the Nov. 19 collection will be the third Operation Patriot Pantry event.
On Nov. 19, residents and businesses will have another chance to give back to those who look out for the community. The Greater Fayetteville Chamber Military Affairs Council presents Operation Patriot Pantry from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or until the truck is full, at the Highland Shopping Center parking lot, 2800 Raeford Road in Fayetteville. A moving van provided by Two Men and a Truck will collect donations, with representatives available to help load supplies.
The drive is accepting nonperishable food, including canned meats, fruits and vegetables, boxed meals, rice and pasta, peanut butter, cereal and baby food. Toiletries and hygiene products are also requested. Donation receipts for contributions will be available upon request.

(Photo: Volunteers with the 2025 Patriotic Pantry take a group photo in front of the Two Men and a Truck van. Photo courtesy of the Greater Fayetteville Chamber)