👥 Who: LiveOak Fiber, Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, Hurlburt Field First Sergeants Council, volunteers including veterans, military spouses, LiveOak Fiber employees, and Chamber members; Steve Smith
📦 What: Emergency food distribution totaling 10,000 pounds of groceries
📅 When: Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m.
📍 Where: Hurlburt Field Base Chapel, Fort Walton Beach, Florida
❓ Why: To support military families affected by delayed paychecks during the federal government shutdown
FORT WALTON BEACH — LiveOak Fiber and the Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce are providing groceries to local military families affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown.
The effort follows an urgent request from the Hurlburt Field First Sergeants Council. LiveOak Fiber committed funding to sustain the base’s emergency food pantry, and the Chamber of Commerce added support that allowed the Council to double its food order from 5,000 to 10,000 pounds through Feeding the Gulf Coast.
“Without this partnership, the pantry wouldn’t have been possible,” said a First Sergeant with the Hurlburt Field First Sergeants Council. “We normally hold it only once a month, but because of this support, we’ll be able to feed twice as many families this October.”
The drive-through food distribution is scheduled for Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. at the Hurlburt Field Base Chapel. Eligible participants include anyone with a valid, unexpired Department of Defense ID card, including active-duty personnel, guards, reserves, retirees, civilian DoD employees, and military spouses.
The event will proceed even if Congress approves active-duty pay, ensuring Coast Guard members, civilian employees, and other DoD-affiliated families also have access to assistance.
Volunteers will include veterans, military spouses, LiveOak Fiber employees, Chamber members, and base leadership. They will sort, bag, and distribute 10,000 pounds of food, including proteins, dairy, produce, and non-perishables.
LiveOak Fiber emphasizes its military ties through community initiatives and employs veterans and military spouses. “America’s military doesn’t stop showing up when things get tough, and neither do we,” said Steve Smith, Founder and Chief Revenue Officer of LiveOak Fiber. “We’re not just a utility provider — we’re neighbors who care about the families that keep our communities strong.”
Community members and local media are encouraged to share information about the event to ensure all eligible families are aware of the support.
About LiveOak Fiber
LiveOak Fiber is a regional internet service provider delivering fiber-optic connectivity. Its LiveOak Locale initiative supports local communities through direct engagement and community-focused programs. More information is available at www.liveoakfiber.com/lol.
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St. Francis De Sales, Ora Pro Nobis!
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