Defense Commissary Agency extends helping hand

  • Published
  • By Staff Sergeant James M. Hodgman
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. -- --  The recent slide of the U. S. economy has impacted millions. Many companies have closed their doors. Thousands of Americans are unemployed and many more have lost their homes. 

Even in this difficult time, many organizations are doing their best to take care of people. One such organization is the Defense Commissary Agency. 

On Feb. 26 Certifichecks Inc, a company that offered gift certificates in denominations from $5 to $100 for use in commissaries, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and ceased the Certificheck program. 

For almost seven years commissary shoppers have been able to take advantage of Certificheck gift certificates to purchase items in commissaries worldwide. Since the program began in Sept. 2002, more than $20 million has been spent on gift certificates. Almost $4 million was spent in 2008 alone. 

Thanks to a deal DECA recently struck with the Department of Defense, commissary shoppers can still use outstanding Certifichecks until July 31. 

"DECA's use of gift certificates was a popular way for families and friends of servicemembers to give the "gift of groceries," said Anthony J. Chaki, the Offutt Commissary store director. The program became a prominent way for organizations such as the Air Force Aid Society, United Service Organization and Operation Homefront to extend donations to military families in need, he continued. 

"I was concerned about how the Certificheck issue would affect our shoppers, and I'm pleased a solution has been worked out that allows commissaries to accept Certificheck gift checks from authorized customers now through July 31," Mr. Chaki said. 

Derek Donovan, the vice president of operations for the Fisher House Foundation, said the foundation will miss the Certifichecks program. 

"Certifichecks donations to Fisher House ranged from $15,000 to $20,000 a year," he said. 

"People would come to us and say we want to help the families who are staying in a fisher house." 

"The certifichecks program was ideal for that because we could disburse checks that were donated to the Fisher House managers or we could give them to the guests, who could then shop according to their dietary needs." Mr. Donovan said. 

The Fisher House Foundation is an organization that provides temporary housing to families of servicemembers who are receiving medical care. The foundation also sponsors scholarships for military children and spouses. 

Giving back to those in need is something the Fisher House Foundation is familiar with, and the reason why Mr. Donovan said DECA should be commended for their dedication to servicemembers. 

"As an appropriated fund organization, DECA was under no legal obligation to honor the Certifichecks but they chose to do so because it was obviously the right thing to do; and they should be applauded for that." 

As the search continues for a replacement to the Certificheck program, commissary shoppers can take comfort in knowing, that the hard work of DeCA and the DOD ensures the "gift of groceries" will still be given.