7Salutes | C.H.O.W Wagon feeds hundreds of military families in need at Ft. Belvoir
Vanessa Gattis is feeding hundreds of military families in need at Fort Belvoir thanks to the C.H.O.W Wagon. (Caroline Patrickis)
WASHINGTON (7News) — Hundreds of military families in need throughout Virginia are receiving free meals thanks to a United States Army Veteran. 7News is saluting the woman who drives the C.H.O.W Wagon which helped to feed 700 families this week at Fort Belvoir.
Vanessa Gattis, President of Prince William County Community Foundation, Inc. said that serving is in her blood.
“Having spent 30 years in the military that is my heart,” said Gattis.
Gattis served for 30 years and now she’s continuing that passion in the community.
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“This has been probably the most rewarding experience next to my military career,” Gattis said.
On Thursday, with the help of the Capital Area Food Bank, she was able to 700 meals to military families in need at Fort Belvoir.
“We are prepared to serve 700 families," Gattis said. "When I tell you how much food we have, we have non-perishable food items and perishable like fruits vegetables and salads."
The C.H.O.W. Wagon stands for Combating Hunger on Wheels which is a way to give back to the community by meeting them where they are at.
“With the high cost of food today, people just need help and that is what our organization is about,” Gattis said.
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Gattis' mission is to get a wagon across the country as the need for food grows.
“We know that food insecurity is not going anywhere. And so, if we can get a C.H.OW. Wagon in communities all across the U.S., it will help with food insecurity,” explained Gattis.
