Grayson Food Pantry Serves 52 Veterans/in /by

Today, we want to share an event that helped 52 veterans as our “Case of the Week” that took place at our Grayson KY office. The event was documented by our Regional Manager, Tammy Black.

We had our food giveaway today and were able to give over 52 veterans a full box of food. We had volunteers help them out to their cars with the food. We were able to provide fresh produce, meat, bread, snacks, and non perishable items. It makes us to happy to be able to service this many veterans in one day! One veteran with six children said without Veterans’ Outreach that he wouldn’t be able to feed his family. We say our prayers and always thank God for Veterans’ Outreach at each meal. No Veteran should go hungry!

Veteran Receives “Gift of Sight”/in /by

Today, we want to highlight a grateful veteran and his wife. This “Case of the Week” comes from our Liberty OH office as told by Teri Ely, Executive Director.

I met with Bob Julian, our Services Director, to discuss his recent case load. He shared with me a very touching Thank You card that had been mailed to our office.
The veteran could not afford new glasses, unless they used funds that were designated for their utilities and other household expenses. Bob was able to set him up with an eye exam, free glasses, help with fuel, and a tote bag of groceries from our Serve Veterans NOW Food Pantry program, made possible by Wal-mart Foundation. They were so grateful, they sent a card.

Navy Veteran Betrayed by Business Partner/in /by

Today we would like to share a “Case of the Week” from our Hartselle AL office as told by Carol Wheeler, our Office Manager.

On Tuesday, the 11th of July, we had a Navy vet stop in who had fallen on hard times. He is a carpenter by trade and he had a partner who was in the landscaping business. The partnership fell apart and the landscaper absconded with all of his tools of the carpenter trade. He had no real way of making a living, he did have a temporary sign on his truck announcing that he was a veteran looking for work.

He had fallen behind on his truck payment and his phone had been turned off. He had no way of contacting his prior customers. He stated that when his ordeal started he weighed over 300 lbs. and was now down to 220. The majority of the weight loss was due to stress and not eating.

I quickly went to our food pantry and filled up a box of groceries, mostly food that did not have to be cooked. He then proceeded to consume various food items right in the office, it was clearly evident that he had not eaten in a while. We also supplied him with tooth brushes and pastes, as well as other toiletry items. We were able to make his truck payment and also donated a little gas money. We then directed him to the HUD/Veterans Affairs to possibly help him with his phone and housing.

Veteran Needs Elder Care/in /by

Today, we would like to share a “Case of the Week” from our Sarasota FL Office, as told by Bob Graham, our Regional Manager.

The daughter of a veteran approached Veterans’ Outreach for assistance on the suggestion of the Florida American Legion. Her father is at a point in life whereas he can no longer live on his own. He needs to enter an assisted living unit due to crippling heart disease and diabetes. He suffers these ailments as a result of Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam, and cannot function on his own. His daughter has been helping him but his problems are now such that she can no longer cope, and is trying to put together sufficient resources to help him on his rent – we were the first to quickly commit to assistance.

FIRE VICTIM FINDS SOLACE/in /by

We would like to share a “Case of the Week” that really touched one of our volunteers’ hearts from our Liberty office.

FIRE VICTIM FINDS SOLACE

A veteran came to our office after experiencing a devastating fire. He had been completely burned out and had absolutely nothing. He had never been here before, so we were able to set him up with a large tote of groceries that would last a couple of weeks – made possible by a grant from Walmart Foundation. We also were able to help him with clothing, our volunteer in the clothing pantry knew just where to look to find everything he needed.
The veteran was overwhelmed, couldn’t help but cry tears of gratitude.

Lights ON for Army Veteran Wife/in /by

This week, we bring you another “Case of the Week” from our Sarasota FL office.

Lights ON for Army Veteran Wife

A wife of an Army veteran, recently widowed, has not received any VA survivor benefit payments to date. The VA is garnishing them for disability “overpayment” to her husband in the past. Not surprisingly, she has fallen behind on her various bills. She has contacted a number of agencies all of whom said they couldn’t help until she was actually evicted from her home(!).

We stepped in on the most urgent, threatened power shutdown, paid the outstanding bill and provided an example to other agencies about assistance before being thrown out on the street.

Good Neighbors go the Extra Mile for Veterans/in /by

Today, we share a “Case of the Week” from out Hartselle Alabama office, we call it:

Good Neighbors go the Extra Mile for Veterans

Last weekend, the Youth Group from Breakthrough Ministry and a neighbor, Connie Cobb launched their own food and funds drive to benefit Veterans’ outreach. They collected a pick up truckload of food. The also presented us with a check for $522 with more to come in.

They have also volunteered to come and help sort and stack the food items. The food pantry has served many veterans when they needed it most. The church is located adjacent to our parking lot and Ms. Cobb lives just across the street.

Talk about good neighbors going the extra mile for our veterans. Another selfless act in support of our nation’s heroes.

Prison PTSD Lingers for Veteran/in /by

Today, we share a “Case of the Week” from our Sarasota FL office, we call it:

Prison PTSD Lingers for Veteran

A Navy Vet from northern Florida reached out for help. He served 6 years, including a tour in Guantanamo as a Hospital Corpsman during interrogation.

Not surprisingly, he has PTSD and has real difficulty dealing with his various issues. Recently laid off, he’s fallen behind on car payments and is close to having it repossessed. If he loses the car, he can’t take on a part-time job at FedEx which he’s been offered. We arranged and activated a payment which his lender said was sufficient to set up a new, and more affordable, payment plan – enabling him to take on the new job and meet that commitment!

Veterans’ Outreach in Hartselle Helps Veteran with Groceries/in /by

Today, we share a “Case of the Week” from our Hartselle Alabama office as told by Carol Wheeler, our Office Manager.

Last Tuesday, the 13th, a veteran was on his way to the local food bank to obtain aid. He happened to stop by Veterans’ Outreach to say hi to Mr. Bob and Ms. Carol. They learned that he has had a tough time recently, he is in his 60’s, disabled with lung issues, and his wife passed on a short time ago.

He was unaware that Veterans’ Outreach in Hartselle had groceries that have been provided by local churches and the good people of Hartselle. Ms. Carol set him up with the groceries that he needed. The veteran was very thankful that he did not have to continue his trek to the food bank, as it saved him approximately one mile of walking.

SIMPLE PROCESS HELPS VETERAN/in /by

This week, we want to share a “Case of the Week” from our Sarasota Florida office. We want to show you a simple series of emails that allowed a veteran to get assistance with his utility bill and his note of gratitude.

(veteran’s email to FL Regional Manager)
Hello Bob,
Attached are the documents for help with my electric bill. I was referred to you by the Hud Vash Program.
Thank you
Ken D.

(FL office email back to veteran)
Ken: received the faxed documents and have called Duke to guarantee payment – wish we could do the whole amount, but we’re limited in our ability as we’re very small and want to help every vet w/a legitimate financial problem.

(veteran’s email to FL office)
Thank you so much God Bless you and your program. It’s truly a blessing.
Thank you
Ken D