Military spouses know more than most about moving…whether we want to or not. Each permanent change of station (PCS) brings unique challenges, especially when we find ourselves moving outside the continental United States (OCONUS). In addition to the practical and emotional concerns (how will I get my beloved puppy there? How will I meet new friends? The list goes on and on!), there is also an undeniable financial burden that comes with PCSing abroad. For example, spousal employment can be difficult to find, there are significant expenses such as buying new cars, and we lose much of our existing social network. Given these factors, many service members and their families could use extra resources to face these challenges.
Fortunately, food pantries have been created to help meet those needs on many overseas bases: 6 in Japan, 1 in Germany, and 1 in South Korea. The resources the pantries offer, including dry goods, fresh produce, cleaning supplies, and information about other financial resources, can be critical, especially during those chaotic early days in a new country. Food pantries can help guests restock their own pantries, provide additional support while they await reimbursements, or create leeway in the budget to cover the numerous other expenses associated with moving.
Back home, we have a social network to fall back on, surrounded by family, old friends, or trusted neighbors. When we move abroad, it can feel like we have lost our community. This is where the food pantries come in: to help fill the gaps and form a sense of community. Food pantries create an environment where we can both receive and offer additional support at a vulnerable, challenging time when we need it the most. Something amazing happens when we show up for each other – whether that takes the form of being courageous enough to seek help, sharing information about these resources with others, or volunteering our time to one another.
Read on to learn about one of the newest pantries, Neighborhood Pantry in Okinawa, Japan, or skip to the “Learn More” section below to find a pantry near you.
Neighborhood Pantry: About Us & How To Use This Resource
The Neighborhood Pantry is a non-profit organization that offers no-cost food assistance to service members and their families across Okinawa. Since opening in November 2023, the Pantry has given out over 20,000 pounds of food, serving hundreds of active-duty service members and their families across all branches, ranks, and family sizes.
Eligibility: The Pantry is open to all ranks and all branches. All you need is your military ID! Guests are welcome to visit the pantry once per pay period, or approximately twice a month.
There are a few ways to take advantage of this great resource, depending on what location, time, and format is most convenient for you!
| Location | Hours | Selections |
| Camp Foster Camp Foster Chapel Center Building 445, Room 103 | Tuesdays, 6-8 pm Thursdays, 8-11 am Saturdays, 9-11 am | Guests can pick from perishable and non-perishable groceries according to their family size |
| Camp Kinser CLR-37 DRC Office Building 107, Room 136 | Monday-Thursday, 9 am – 1pm | Pre-packed grab-and-go bags containing non-perishable groceries |
| Camps Courtney & McTureous Pool Parking Lot | Select Saturdays, 9-11 am | Pre-packed grab-and-go bags containing non-perishable groceries *Please note registration is required! Check our Facebook page to register ahead of the event. |
Be sure to visit the Neighborhood Pantry Facebook page to learn Mobile Pantry dates and about one-off events, such as the Typhoon Prep Bag Giveaway held on Camps Foster, Courtney, and Kinser in July 2024.
Volunteer & Donation Opportunities
As the Neighborhood Pantry is run by volunteers, there is plenty of opportunity to get involved if that’s your thing! Volunteer opportunities include:
- Open Shop – you will welcome families as they arrive, answer questions, help with selecting items, and keep our shop clean and ready. Please keep in mind volunteers will need to sign a confidentiality statement and waiver to ensure anonymity for guests
- Sidewalk Sales – you can sign up to help pack bags before the event or to table during the event, sharing information about the Pantry and selling bags to customers at the commissary
- Mobile Pantry – you will set up pickup location and distribute pre-packed bags to those who pre-register for the event
You can check out available volunteer opportunities here.
Don’t have time to volunteer but still want to help out? You can bring donations to the Camp Foster Chapel Center during Neighborhood Pantry hours. Accepted donations include unopened and unexpired dry goods or opened but unexpired cleaning products.
Learn More
- Questions? Find us on Facebook or email us at [email protected]
- Sign up to volunteer with us here
- Learn about other pantries OCONUS!
- Japan
- South Korea
- Germany
Meet Sarah
Sarah has been a military spouse for just over 2 years and currently lives in Okinawa, Japan with her Marine Corps husband. She loves to snorkel, jog, read, bake, and get involved in her new and ever-changing community through organizations like Stroller Warriors, Neighborhood Pantry, and Okinawa Leadership Seminar.
