In the midst of the Coronavirus Shut-Down some businesses and non-profits are taking a big hit. Among those in need of reprieve is the Veterans Food-Bank of America.
Veterans Food-Bank of America
Many are not aware that a majority of veterans will not go to the local pantries when they are in need of assistance because of personal pride and dignity. After all, they dedicated years of their lives to our freedom and fought in battles to help our nation, ourselves, and our loved ones… so they don’t want to feel helpless or admit that they are in need of help. The Veterans Food-Bank of America works beyond this dynamic (as veterans themselves) to help veterans to receive what they need in the midst of their struggle.
The Veterans Food-Bank of America provides food to veterans, their families, and even their widows, and is working this year towards letting more of the area’s veterans-in-need or homeless-veterans know that the VFBA is here for them and their families.
Working toward this cause with donations from individuals, from Lewis Bakeries/Bunny Bread, and from other local businesses, the VFBA serves within a 100-mile radius of Evansville and hopes to expand the territory in which they are assisting veterans in need.
In 2019 the VFBA put to good use around $90,000 in cash and food to supply some 5,000 items to more than 200 veterans per month in the tri-state area. The VFBA anticipates that service needs will top $100,000 this year due to the economic shutdown, but because of the same, VFBA supplies are running low.
The History
The Henager Family Museum opened in December of 1996 by James Henager and has served as an educational and historical site preserving the legacy of our veterans. In 1998 the organization received it’s non-profit 501-C-3 status, and in 2008 officially started the Veterans Memorial of America (VMA). Today the museum has a collection of over 30,000 items which serve the community and promote the dignity of all veterans. In 2016, the Henager Family Museum started Veterans Food-Bank of America to help local veterans, and since then donated items have come from all across the nation to the VFBA to help those veterans and their families in need.
James Henager, Chairman of the VFBA, was an Air Force Medic from 1970-1973. “I was injured in 1973 while in. I had a hard time dealing with many things being back home, so it was hard for me to work like most so there was times I did not eat to be sure we had the money (we needed). It was not until 2010 I was told I could apply for disability with the VA. We (James and his wife) went without any income from July 2008 to November 2011 until I got my social security/disability (approved). I (then) got my VA disability and I am now 100% service-connected. I am in a group of less than 10% (of qualified veterans who actually receive disability). Many veterans who served never receive any disability or have never had a good job to make the income they needed to live properly.”
Because of Henager’s experiences as a struggling veteran, he started the Veterans Food-Bank of America.
The Need
Henager said, “Due to the Coronavirus, our normal ways of (collecting) funds and stocking food has been cut off with no ideal when we can get back on the road because we who volunteer here are all disabled and older and therefore at a high risk. To help the growing veteran population in need, we are (also) wanting to construct a new 6,400 sq. ft. warehouse to feed even more veterans and their families.”
“Due to the virus, most of our funding has stopped. The way we collected more than 90% of our food and funding was by standing outside stores like Walmart (but this collection process has stopped). To be able to move forward during this pandemic, the VFBA is going to need help in keeping the shelves stocked and operating expenses coming in.”
How Can you Help?
“The Veterans Food-Bank of America wants to thank those donors who have donated items to the Food-Bank. It has gone a long way in letting our veterans and their families in need (know) that they are not forgotten. With times being the way they are, it is good to see many of you are not forgetting our veterans who have issues that keep them from having gainful employment that is needed to keep food on the table.”
The Veterans Food-Bank of America would like to encourage an increase in donations at this time to accommodate those veterans in need during this difficult season. If you would like to donate, just click this link and follow the prompts.
Volunteer
Veterans Food-Bank of America is also looking for more volunteers. Due to the demand at this time we are only able to work (help) in Western Kentucky, Southwest Indiana and Southeastern Illinois so if you live in one of these areas 
and would like to volunteer, please call 812-795-2230.
Contact for Further Information
812-795-2230
812-795-2237
veteransforveteransm@gmail.com
8837 S. State Rd. 57
Buckskin, IN
47647
