“This is a place where veterans help veterans,” said Jeff Davis, member of the Caldwell Veterans Memorial Hall Board of Directors and of VFW Post 3886 in Caldwell, Idaho.
Helping veterans has taken on increased significance with the COVID-19 crisis. Post 3886, Caldwell Veterans Memorial Hall and other veterans service organizations in the area have come together to ensure no veteran is hungry or in need.
One big concern during the pandemic has been caring for homeless veterans, especially after health and safety concerns led to the closing of the hall and cancellation of a Stand Down.
“We received a truck load of military surplus clothing, food boxes and new boots to give to our homeless vets during the Stand Down,” Davis said. “We started to look for at-risk veterans in our community and how we could distribute items. We went to work driving up to 40 miles one way to locate these veterans and hand out supplies.”
Since the hall shut down, approximately 1,300 pounds of food have been distributed. Volunteers also have put together personal hygiene kits and given away boots, bags of clothing and other helpful items.
“That is our primary mission during the quarantine. We have take and go rucksacks filled with sleeping bags, poncho liners, socks and food in case there is an immediate need,” said Davis.
“I love all my veterans and will continue to help them all I can as will all the other board members at the hall. We do good work here with pride and professionalism.”