Serving Those Who Have Served Others
Combat Hunger is back! Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, TDS Telecom, Jack’s Maintenance, and Woodward Radio Group have teamed up for a 12-hour food and cash donation drive on Thursday, June 29 from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. at Pick ‘n Save on Ballard Rd. in Appleton. Your donations will benefit Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin and Wisconsin Veterans Village, where the number of veterans reaching out has already doubled what it was in all of 2020.
According to Feeding America’s National Office, 160,000 active-duty enlisted service members struggle with hunger. The three biggest contributors to this problem are lower salaries at lower ranks, high unemployment rates for military spouses due to the transitory nature of the military, high cost of living near military bases, and FoodShare ineligibility. The housing allowance many military families receive to help make housing more affordable is considered income. Unfortunately, this additional income disqualifies many families from FoodShare.
Since Veterans are used to being the helpers, they often don’t like to ask for help and are great at hiding the fact that they are struggling. The self-sufficient culture in the military may serve as a deterrent to service members seeking assistance. It’s common for veterans to stay on a friend’s couch, sleep in their trucks, or at campgrounds.
Wisconsin Veterans Village is committed to safe, dignified, affordable housing for Wisconsin vets. The organization is not like a shelter – residents are long-term tenants (individuals and families) who pay rent and contribute to the Wisconsin Veterans Village community. The staff at Wisconsin Veterans Village prioritizes veterans’ dignity and stability through a phased approach. The benefits of living in the community are social connection, walking access to the surrounding John H. Bradley Veterans Clinic, Fox Valley Technical College, Fox Valley Veterans Council, Tri-County Dental, and on-site wraparound services and financial assistance. Of course, food- and housing- insecurity go hand in hand. While Wisconsin Veterans Village works on long-term, dignified solutions to homelessness, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin works toward solutions to hunger and nutrition.
Want to make a difference in the Veteran community? Bring your food and monetary donations to the 5th annual Combat Hunger from 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 29 at Pick ‘n Save on Ballard Rd. in Appleton.
Can’t make it to the Food Drive? Donate online here.
