KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) are pleased to announce that their annual Uniting to Combat Hunger campaign has raised 1,018,832 meals since the 2021 VFW convention – more than double the goal of 500,000 meals.
Today’s announcement was made during the Joint Opening Session of the 123rd VFW National Convention. The funds from this year’s campaign will be donated to local food banks benefiting veterans, service members, their families and local communities.
“The work and effort put into this year’s Uniting to Combat Hunger campaign was nothing short of amazing,” said VFW National Commander Fritz Mihelcic. “The VFW is honored to work alongside Humana representatives to ensure that no more military and veteran families go hungry.”
This year, more than 50 VFW Posts and Auxiliaries have participated in 76 food drives and distribution events across the country, working tirelessly to reach the 2022 goal. For example, VFW Department of Florida leadership, VFW Posts and members throughout the Sunshine State raised nearly a quarter of a million meals. VFW Department of Colorado Posts raised more than 150,000 meals.
The campaign continues with a 1 million meal goal for the 2023 campaign. Donations can be made at vfw.org/UTCHDonate.
“Humana and the VFW created the Uniting to Combat Hunger campaign in 2018 to make sure Veterans and their families across the country get the nutritious foods they need,” said Ed Sandrick, Director of the Veterans Channel at Humana. “This collaboration is a great example of how Humana and the VFW have been working together for 10 years toward our shared goal of removing barriers to good health for Veterans and their families nationwide. We want to thank all of the VFWs who got involved.”
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Through Humana’s national Veteran Bold Goal, Humana, the VFW and other organizations come together to support the health of Veterans and their families through impactful programming. To further strengthen the commitment to Veterans’ health, Humana today presented the VFW with a $50,000 donation dedicated to two VFW programs. The VFW Unmet Needs program received $25,000 toward its work providing financial aid to help with basic needs such as paying rent. The VFW National Veterans Service received $25,000 to support the program that helps Veterans get their earned Veterans Affairs benefits and compensation.
“Humana’s generosity will serve to benefit so many veterans — along with their families — who need a hand up,” Mihelcic said. “We’re grateful for our continued friendship with Humana and for its ongoing commitment to those who bear the burden of protecting our freedom.”
PHOTO CUTLINE:
Top photo: Humana employees and VFW volunteers pack potato bags to help with local food relief efforts at the 123rd VFW National Convention on Saturday, July 16, 2022 in Kansas City, Mo. (Colin F. Braley/Humana)
Bottom photo: Ed Sandrick, director of the Veterans Channel at Humana, and his team present $50,000 on behalf of Humana to the VFW Unmet Needs and VFW National Veterans Service programs at the 123rd VFW National Convention on Monday, July 18, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (Colin F. Braley/Humana)