Soldiers’ Angels to Provide Monthly Food Assistance for Over 200 Atlanta Veterans
Atlanta, Georgia (PRWEB) October 10, 2017 -- Soldiers’ Angels Hunger Relief Program will be hosting the first Veteran Mobile Food Distribution on Friday, October 27th, 2017 at the Arcadia VA Clinic located at 250 North Arcadia Avenue, Decatur, Georgia, 30030. The event will provide food assistance to over 200 low-income, at-risk, and homeless veterans from the Atlanta Area. The distribution will be conducted in partnership with the Atlanta Community Food Bank.
The event will be the first of what will now be a monthly event for Atlanta area veterans. Soldiers’ Angels Hunger Relief Program is a nationwide initiative that was started in September of 2015 at the Soldiers’ Angels headquarters in San Antonio, Texas. The program continued on a monthly basis in San Antonio and was also established in four other cities across the country: Charleston, South Carolina; Denver, Colorado; Detroit, Michigan, and now, Atlanta, Georgia.
“Soldiers’ Angels recognized the need for a food assistance program specifically for the veteran population,” said Amy Palmer, Soldiers’ Angels President and CEO. “The number of veteran families that fall at or below the poverty level across the country is astonishing. We knew that we needed to put resources into creating a program that would serve this growing population.”
When the program was first conceived in 2015, it took some time to get it off the ground in San Antonio.
“The first couple of months that we hosted the food distribution in San Antonio, it took us nearly the entire month to fill the event to capacity,” said Palmer. “But now, two years later, as soon as we open the registration link for that month’s event, it is filled to capacity within one hour. Since it is a mobile event, we are only able to serve approximately 200 families at each distribution.”
The event in Atlanta will likely follow the same course as San Antonio. However, Soldiers’ Angels feels confident that it will not be long before the demand for the Atlanta distribution rivals that of San Antonio.
“Cities that have a large military presence, such as Atlanta, tend to also have a large population of low income veterans. Although it may take us some time to get the word out to the veterans in Atlanta who are in need of food assistance, the word will get out and this event will soon be in high demand every month.”
The Veteran Mobile Food Distribution has become a staple for the families served in other cities. Working with the local food banks at each location, the event provides approximately 50 pounds of food for the attending families. The food includes fresh fruits and vegetables as well as meats and non-perishables.
“The program is designed to provide monthly supplemental food assistance for the families as well as some non-perishable items that may last beyond the month,” continues Palmer. “These families have sacrificed so much in service to our country, and many of them rely on this program in order to keep food on their table for the entire month. This is really a small token of appreciation for all they have sacrificed for our freedoms and a way we can come together and say ‘thank you for your service.’”
Soldiers’ Angels partners with businesses, large and small, to sponsor the monthly events in each city. Some sponsors even offer the opportunity to their employees or members to volunteer at the event.
“The distribution is set up drive-through style so the veterans, many of whom have injuries, don’t even have to get out of their car. Those who don’t have cars walk through with a volunteer and load their groceries in a cart or wagon. This is an amazing volunteer opportunity for anyone interested in giving back to our military heroes. To hand someone a bag of food for their family and shake their hand, it’s truly touching to watch the volunteers in action.”
If you are interested in becoming a part of this monthly event in Atlanta, Soldiers’ Angels will be continuously looking for volunteers and sponsors to help with the Hunger Relief Program. Contact Soldiers’ Angels at (210)629-0020 to learn more about assisting in this program. Or visit their website at http://www.SoldiersAngels.org to view the many other programs and services they provide for active duty service members, wounded heroes, veterans, and their families.
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About Soldiers’ Angels: Soldiers' Angels is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, their families, and the growing veteran population. Founded in 2003 by the mother of two American soldiers, hundreds of thousands of Soldiers' Angels "Angel" volunteers assist veterans, wounded and deployed personnel and their families in a variety of unique and effective ways. (Tax ID# 20-058-3415). Learn more at http://www.soldiersangels.org.
About Atlanta Community Food Bank: The Atlanta Community Food Bank works to end hunger with the food, people and big ideas needed to ensure our neighbors have the nourishment to lead healthy and productive lives. Far too many people in our own community experience hunger every day, including children, seniors and working families.
Through more than 600 nonprofit partners, we help more than 755,000 people get healthy food every year. Our goal is that, by 2025, all hungry people across metro Atlanta and North Georgia will have access to the nutritious meals they need when they need them. It takes the power of our whole community to make that possible. Join us at ACFB.org.
Amy Palmer, Soldiers' Angels, http://www.soldiersangels.org, +1 (210) 629-0020, [email protected]
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