Military Family Advisory Network Announces Partnership with Leading Brands to Aid Military Families During Moves

FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS (December 18, 2023) – The Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), a national nonprofit dedicated to serving military and veteran families, is proud to announce the launch of the MFANetwork pilot, an innovative solution to help military families access support throughout the moving process.

For phase one of the pilot, families arriving at Fort Cavazos, Texas in 2024 will have the opportunity to receive a Permanent Change of Station (PCS) Pantry Restock Box, made possible in part by Tyson Foods, the Walmart Foundation, Instacart, and Umoja Supply Chain Solutions.

“The military is a microcosm of the broader population, and while many thrive in service, our data show moments in the military journey when some families need a little extra support,” said Shannon Razsadin, President and Executive Director of Military Family Advisory Network. “We owe it to service members and their loved ones to work together. At the end of the day, military families do not care who support comes from, but that their family has the tools needed to thrive.”

The PCS Pantry Restock Box includes grocery and household items that military families must often repurchase with every move as well as access to additional grocery-related services and resources. Valued at more than $150, this welcome kit is the low-barrier entry point to the MFANetwork, which will connect families to local and national resources that meet their data-informed needs.

Built off MFAN research on military family economic security, the greater MFANetwork is a four-pillar program that holistically addresses family well-being through collaboration, with a focus on:

• Healthy Bodies: Supporting the physical and mental health of the whole family
• Healthy Families: Navigating the resources needed for growing families
• Healthy Homes: Supporting families through military moves
• Healthy Futures: Financial support now and planning for the future

“The sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform and their families can never adequately be repaid,” said Tim Grailer, Head of Social Impact for Tyson Foods. “However, we are honored to provide a layer of support for families as they are adjusting through a Permanent Change of Station. This represents an important start and a vision that Tyson Foods is committed to strengthening.”

“We believe in serving the veterans and military families who have selflessly served our country,” said Rachel Spencer, Senior Manager of Community Resiliency for Walmart.org. “The Walmart Foundation is proud to support MFAN in ensuring military families have what they need to put food on the table, especially during times of transition.”

Military families arriving at Fort Cavazos may visit mfan.org/thenetwork to learn more and find a community partner where they can receive the PCS Pantry Restock Box. Organizations looking to get involved with the MFANetwork should contact texas@mfan.org.

Sign up for program updates at mfan.org/connect.

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Media Contact
Derek Doyle
doyle@mfan.org
(301) 676-3882

About MFAN

The Military Family Advisory Network envisions a world where all military-connected families are empowered to thrive. MFAN’s mission is to understand and amplify the needs of military-connected families and inspire data-informed change. Visit mfan.org.

About Tyson Foods, Inc.

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under four generations of family leadership, the Company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson®, Jimmy Dean®, Hillshire Farm®, Ball Park®, Wright®, Aidells®, ibp® and State Fair®. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable and affordable to meet customers’ needs worldwide and raise the world’s expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the Company had approximately 139,000 team members on September 30, 2023. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit tysonfoods.com.

About Philanthropy at Walmart

Walmart.org represents the philanthropic efforts of Walmart and the Walmart Foundation. By focusing where the business has unique strengths, Walmart.org works to tackle key social and environmental issues and collaborate with others to spark long-lasting systemic change. Walmart has stores in 19 countries, employs more than 2 million associates and does business with thousands of suppliers who, in turn, employ millions of people. Walmart.org is helping people live better by supporting programs to accelerate upward job mobility for frontline workers, advance equity, address hunger, build inclusive economic opportunity for people in supply chains, protect and restore nature, reduce waste and emissions and build strong communities where Walmart operates. To learn more, visit walmart.org or connect on X (formerly known as Twitter) @Walmartorg.

About Instacart

Instacart, the leading grocery technology company in North America, works with grocers and retailers to transform how people shop. The company partners with more than 1,400 national, regional, and local retail banners to facilitate online shopping, delivery and pickup services from more than 80,000 stores across North America on the Instacart Marketplace. Instacart makes it possible for millions of people to get the groceries they need from the retailers they love, and for approximately 600,000 Instacart shoppers to earn by picking, packing and delivering orders on their own flexible schedule. The Instacart Platform offers retailers a suite of enterprise-grade technology products and services to power their e-commerce experiences, fulfill orders, digitize brick-and-mortar stores, provide advertising services, and glean insights. With Instacart Ads, thousands of CPG brands – from category leaders to emerging brands – partner with the company to connect directly with consumers online, right at the point of purchase. With Instacart Health, the company is providing tools to increase nutrition security, make healthy choices easier for consumers, and expand the role that food can play in improving health outcomes. For more information, visit instacart.com/company.

About Umoja Supply Chain Solutions

Umoja is a minority-owned food, health and logistics company with a social mission. At Umoja, we apply our proven expertise in food & logistics to reduce food insecurity, maximize supply chain efficiencies, and address social determinants of health. Umoja Food For Health specializes in Nutrition Empowerment Programs that pair nutritious foods with educational tools to improve health, reduce healthcare costs, and support the prevention and management of chronic conditions. Umoja Hunger Relief provides quality solutions and products, distribution-ready kits, and food program support services for food banks, hunger relief organizations, humanitarian aid groups and government agencies. PackHope powers corporate social impact and engagement event experiences driving a deeper connection between businesses and their communities. Unidad Logistics provides turnkey logistics and a full suite of business solutions from warehousing to inventory management, seasonal, kitting, repacking, multi-packing and e-tail fulfillment tailored to get goods in and out, on time, every time. At Umoja, we are united in the drive for equity and access to quality food and better health for all. To learn more, visit umojasupply.com.