VFW Post 6257 in Woodbine, New Jersey, wanted to help during the pandemic, but didn’t want it to be a one-time effort.
“Our Post and Auxiliary membership concluded that a sustainable food pantry dedicated and allocated to veterans and their families was an attainable goal if we had community support,” said Jon Hinker, Post Commander and Sr. Vice Commander of District 17 for the Department of New Jersey.
Members who were healthy and able agreed to help to pick up donations and deliver food and supplies. They also made plans for storing and packaging donations, asking for assistance from community partners and businesses and getting items to veterans who were in need. Safely helping veterans most at risk was the primary concern.
“We are fortunate to have a productive working relationship with the Wilmington VA Medical Center,” Hinker said.
“Coordinating with the VA center’s homeless outreach team offered the capability to have supplies delivered to the most at risk veterans. We alone would have never been able to accomplish a mission such as this without their implementation and willingness to assist.”
Members of Post 6257 are delivering items to veterans who experience hardship due to the COVID-19 crisis interrupting their ability to work or get what they need. They also provide assistance to veterans who are homebound or immunocompromised and rely on others for help with things such as grocery shopping.
“Post and Auxiliary members continue to answer the call and assist in delivery of the supplies to assist veterans and their families,” said Hinker.
“We have built this mission to be sustainable into the future with the help of many generous donors.”
The Post is proud to do all it can to be of service to veterans now and in the months to come.