WASHINGTON, June 23, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- For the first time since its inception, The Mission Continues, a national nonprofit dedicated to empowering veterans as community-based leaders, will temporarily shift the focus of its veteran-led service efforts in over 50 cities nationwide to fight hunger and aid communities in pandemic recovery.
Operation Nourish will mobilize thousands of veterans across the country to combat food insecurity. The operation will mobilize on the ingenuity and creativity the veteran community brings to increasing access to food in under-resourced communities. They will grow, collect and distribute food to people who need it most, in addition to helping build support capacity for community partner organizations.
To date, hundreds of Mission Continues veteran volunteers have harvested and redistributed over 2,000 lbs of produce to food banks in central Florida, served thousands of hot meals and provided grocery store gift cards to families in Los Angeles and helped deliver meals in Atlanta.
Studies show that the COVID-19 Pandemic has dramatically increased food insecurity rates across the country, and veterans and communities of color are disproportionately plagued by this issue. At the same time, veterans are more likely to experience the negative effects of social isolation due to COVID-19. Service and volunteerism have proven to be an effective intervention that improves mental health outcomes for veterans. Operation Nourish will support veterans and the neighborhoods where they have a legacy of service.
"Veterans have a history of deploying to where the threat is greatest, and right now one of the greatest threats to our nation is the unprecedented rise in hunger, triggered by this pandemic," said Mary Beth Bruggeman, US Marine Corps veteran and President of The Mission Continues, "Our veterans have been serving in these communities for years and are inspired to focus resources where the need is greatest. We are following their lead."
Operation Nourish has garnered the support of notable individuals such as Jon Stewart, comedian, writer, director and advocate for veterans and first-responders, who helped announce the launch of the operation at a town hall with TMC veteran leaders.
"The talents and the skills and the dedication that The Mission Continues always brings to these projects and initiatives will inspire and will bring comfort and I think a real sense of hope and optimism at a time when both are lacking," said Stewart.
You can support Operation Nourish by donating today or by joining The Mission Continues on the frontlines in your community. Please visit Operation Nourish for more information and details on how to serve.
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The Mission Continues is a national veterans organization dedicated to the empowerment of veterans as community-based leaders. We invest in veterans and under-resourced communities, developing new skill sets and equipping a growing veteran volunteer movement with the tools to drive positive change. Our programs in 50+ cities nationwide deploy veteran volunteers alongside nonprofit partners and community leaders to combat food insecurity and strengthen communities. Through this unique service model, veterans are provided opportunities for connection and personal growth while generating visible community impact. To learn more, visit http://www.missioncontinues.org.
SOURCE The Mission Continues
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