North Carolina
Nonprofit delivers meals to over 300 veterans in western North Carolina
ARDEN, N.C. (WLOS) — Nonprofits are providing food to hundreds of veterans in need.
To tackle food insecurity, a Charlotte-based organization partnered with Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry.
The Independence Fund said it hosts feedings in Charlotte regularly, and after seeing an unprecedented level of need there, the group decided to expand operations to western North Carolina.
VETERANS HONORED AT ‘RED, WHITE, AND BURNSVILLE’ EVENT
On Wednesday, Nov. 19, they met at ABCCM’ Arden location to offer more than 300 meal boxes to veterans.
Essential household supplies, along with hams or turkeys, were available just in time for Thanksgiving.
Roman’s Deli and Catering was also on-site, providing each veteran with a fresh, warm meal.
Veteran Tim Branch drove from Black Mountain and said this is a great help after the impact of the government shutdown.
“It makes a big difference because we’re on a fixed income,” Branch said.
Heidi Selbe with the Independence Fund said they serve the Warfighter Community and host Feeding Independence events nationwide, and didn’t want to leave western North Carolina out.
“We were seeing an increased need with the government shutdown and, of course, western North Carolina already suffering from hurricane Helene, our veterans, we felt like we were seeing an increased need for support, and so we wanted to provide this for them,” Selbe said.
VETERANS DAY HIGHLIGHTS THE PLIGHT OF OVER 35,000 HOMELESS VETERANS IN THE US
This was also an opportunity for veterans to get connected with ABCCM case managers and other long-term support.
“We have a housing program, we have an employment program, we do suicide prevention, and we have outreach teams that are engaging with those individuals,” said Jessica Rice, the managing director for veteran services of the Carolinas at ABCCM.
Anyone who missed the event can reach out to the Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry for assistance by visiting here.