A newly established nonprofit organization is addressing an often-overlooked crisis affecting active-duty Marines and military families throughout Southern California. Founded in June 2025, Rooted in Advocacy emerged from firsthand observations of service members struggling to afford basic meals while stationed at some of the nation’s most prominent Marine Corps installations.
The organization’s approach differs significantly from traditional food assistance programs. Rather than operating food banks or requiring income verification, Rooted in Advocacy delivers meal boxes containing grocery gift cards directly to recipients, eliminating the stigma and logistical barriers that often prevent military personnel from seeking help.
The nonprofit’s origins trace back to holiday food deliveries in Camp Pendleton, where founder Bianca Rendon-Sutton and her husband, an active-duty Marine, discovered the extent of food insecurity within military communities. Marines living in barracks repeatedly expressed frustration with substandard chow hall offerings, forcing them to spend personal funds on alternative meals. Meanwhile, military families were quietly rationing food and skipping meals to stretch limited grocery budgets.
“Rooted in Advocacy started with holiday deliveries because we saw Marines and military families going without food during one of the hardest times of year. For now our food boxes are delivered during the holidays but with enough support, we hope to serve year-round,” said Bianca Rendon-Sutton, Founder of Rooted in Advocacy.
Rendon-Sutton established the organization with her best friend Maya T., which has since relocated its operations to San Diego County while continuing to serve both Camp Pendleton and TwentyninePalms. The women-led nonprofit specifically targets demographics frequently excluded from traditional assistance programs, including single Marines residing in barracks who lack transportation access.
Beyond direct food assistance, the organization has positioned itself as an advocate for systemic change within military food systems. The group actively campaigns for improved chow hall quality standards, increased Basic Allowance for Subsistence rates, and expanded SNAP eligibility for service members. Initial advocacy efforts focus on Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms, with plans to extend these initiatives to additional military installations nationwide as resources permit.
The nonprofit’s inaugural major initiative, Operation Thanksgiving, aims to distribute holiday meal boxes complete with grocery gift cards to service members and military families facing food insecurity. The program emphasizes discretion and dignity, allowing recipients to obtain assistance without enduring lengthy application processes or public food distribution lines.
Food insecurity among military families remains a persistent yet underreported issue across the United States. Despite steady paychecks and housing allowances, many junior enlisted personnel struggle to afford adequate nutrition, particularly those supporting families on entry-level military salaries. Single service members living in barracks face unique challenges, as they receive minimal food allowances and must rely heavily on dining facilities that may offer limited hours or unappealing meal options.
The grassroots organization distinguishes itself through its understanding of military culture and the specific barriers preventing service members from accessing traditional food assistance. By eliminating bureaucratic hurdles and delivering support directly to those in need, the nonprofit addresses both immediate hunger and the broader systemic issues contributing to food insecurity within military communities.
As Rooted in Advocacy establishes its presence in San Diego County, the organization seeks community support to expand its services beyond holiday distributions. The ultimate goal involves year-round assistance programs that ensure no service member or military family faces food insecurity while serving their country.