Military Veterans Combating Hunger: From NYC to the Middle East

Muhammad Talha and Ron Olaizola share a unique bond as both members of the operations team at Food Bank For New York City and reservists in the U.S. military—Ron serving in the Air Force and Talha in the Army. They are among several dedicated veterans managing Food Bank For New York City's Warehouse & Food Distribution Center, with Ron recently back from deployment in the Middle East. A dynamic duo: Food Bankers Muhammad Talha left, and Ron Olaizola at our Bronx Food Distribution Center. During his deployment, Ron was involved in a humanitarian aid mission that aligned closely with his work at Food Bank—for refugees in Syria and Gaza. He helped assemble culturally relevant food pallets, specifically halal meals, tailored to communities in need. As Ron put it, “In those moments, I felt like I was back at Food Bank.” Regardless of whether they are providing service in a conflict zone or in the heart of New York City, Talha and Ron are devoted to ensuring that the right food reaches those in need, from children and families to older adults and veterans. Talha's commitment to service was underscored by his personal experiences, having faced hunger as an immigrant from Pakistan and recognizing the impact of hunger in his homeland. “I joined the Military and my passion for service only grew,” says Talha. “I don’t want anyone to feel hunger, because I faced it. I came from Pakistan as an immigrant and hunger is a major issue there. I have seen it. I have felt it very closely. I have learned that we have to care, we have to look out for each other.”   Food Banker Muhammad Talha is a proud Army Veteran. Roughly 24% of active service members struggle with food insecurity, and 1.2 million veterans rely on SNAP benefits nationwide. As Ron prepares to retire from the Air Force in March 2025, both he and Talha remain resolved to ensure that veterans and anyone facing hunger have access to meals and support during challenging times. “I’m lucky to have a family, a job, and food to come home to,” says Ron. “Many of my friends don’t.” Watch the video to learn more about this dynamic duo and see how you can support food insecure service members this Veteran’s Day.