Wounded Warrior Project Corporate Partner CSX Helps Warriors Fight Food Insecurity

Volunteers from CSX put together food baskets to donate to wounded warriors and their families. (Photo courtesy of CSX Pride in Service)

Increasing food costs are a pressing issue for many Americans, including the veteran population, who may find it challenging to obtain enough food to feed their families.

Addressing food insecurity within the veteran community helps honor their service and sacrifice while ensuring their overall well-being.

The most recent Warrior Survey* conducted by Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) showed growing rates of low and very low food security among WWP™ warriors since 2021. Nearly 2 in 5 WWP warriors met the threshold for being food insecure.

Financial strain among WWP warriors has also risen since 2021, with 64% indicating that at some point in the past 12 months, they did not have enough money to make ends meet, compared to 42% in 2021. The top reasons for financial strain were increased costs of goods (82%), working but not making enough money (27%), and family obligations (27%).

WWP aims to improve the lives of warriors and their families through its life-changing programs and resources. With the help of corporate partners, WWP can continue to meet the growing and changing needs of wounded post-9/11 veterans.

One of WWP’s corporate partners is transportation company CSX, which created its Pride in Service initiative to honor those who serve. Since 2018, CSX has joined WWP to help wounded warriors and their families, here on the homefront, by delivering life-changing support ranging from veteran training and employment resources to funding critical research that helps guide how WWP serves warriors.

A volunteer helps drop off and organize food baskets for wounded warriors during an event at WWP's headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo courtesy of CSX Pride in Service).

On July 19, volunteers from CSX joined WWP at the nonprofit’s headquarters in Jacksonville to deliver food and gift baskets to help warriors and their families. The families were invited to a fun night event to eat pizza, watch movies, do arts and crafts, and collect their baskets.

“As part of CSX’s community investment initiative, Pride in Service, we partnered with Wounded Warrior Project on an Adopt-a-Family Food Basket Drive this summer,” said Angela Costa, Community Investment manager for CSX. “The program goes beyond simply gathering essential food items; it raises awareness about food insecurity, fosters team building, and makes a real difference in the lives of our nation’s heroes. The impact of this effort is profound. These baskets directly support 15 wounded warriors and their families in our collective hometown of Jacksonville, Florida.”

Veterans face unique challenges that can contribute to food insecurity. Many may experience physical and mental health issues stemming from their service, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and physical injuries. These conditions can hinder their ability to work, leading to reduced income and difficulties in affording necessities, including food.

Additionally, finding stable employment after transitioning to civilian life can take time. This transition period can result in financial instability, making the support from communities, companies, and veterans service organizations even more valuable and impactful.

“The recent CSX Food Basket Drive is a great example of how important and critical WWP’s national partnership with CSX is to fulfill our mission of honoring and empowering wounded warriors,” said WWP Corporate Partnership director Wally Edwards. “CSX understands the needs of our veteran population and looks for areas where they can help provide solutions to those needs.”

The Warrior Survey* showed that WWP warriors struggle with food insecurity more than the U.S. general population. By addressing food insecurity in the veteran community, we can improve the health, well-being, and quality of life of those who have dedicated themselves to serving our nation.

“Working with Wounded Warrior Project, CSX created and implemented this food basket drive to address that need head-on and what an impact they have made for benefiting WWP warriors,” Wally said.

Find out how your company can help wounded veterans in your community.

*Warrior Survey, Wave 2 (conducted June 15-Aug. 24, 2022)

Contact: Paris Moulden, Public Relations, pmoulden@woundedwarriorproject.org, 904.570.7910

About Wounded Warrior Project
Since 2003, Wounded Warrior Project^® (WWP) has been meeting the growing needs of warriors, their families, and caregivers — helping them achieve their highest ambition. Learn more about Wounded Warrior Project.