Monica Bassett

Monica Bassett, the Founder and CEO of Stronghold Food Pantry, is a dedicated advocate for military families facing food insecurity. A proud military spouse and daughter of a Vietnam War veteran, Monica was born on the border of Texas and Mexico to blue-collar parents. Her family once received assistance from a local food pantry, an experience that deeply influenced her commitment to helping others.

In 2021, recognizing the urgent needs of military families struggling to put food on the table, Monica began providing support from her home. Motivated by the Department of Defense's data revealing that 24% of military families faced food insecurity, she founded Stronghold Food Pantry with the goal of transforming the experience of seeking help and easing the stigma associated with it.

Monica’s extensive background in senior management, combined with her passion for community service, has driven the remarkable growth of Stronghold. Under her leadership, the organization has expanded its reach and impact, serving an average of 20 people daily and distributing over 70,000 lbs of food in its first year. Her innovative approach, blending technology and personal connection, has enabled Stronghold to support thousands of military families globally.

Monica is also an accomplished speaker and Military Food Insecurity Expert. She has delivered the keynote speech at the USDA Employee Summit and is known for her role in building and scaling military food pantries worldwide. Her commitment to providing actionable solutions has earned her national recognition, including the prestigious Mighty 25 award, 2022 Army Spouse of the Year, and Be the Change. Monica has been featured in prominent publications such as Women's Day Magazine, Military Times, Military Spouse Magazine, Army Times, Association of the United States Army Magazine, The Story Exchange, and the Quincy Institute publication. Her work continues to inspire new leaders and advocate for those in need, embodying her mission to serve American military families with dignity and care.