A number of community and veterans organizations are joining forces to host a food drive and special Veterans Resource Fair on Thursday, August 26, from 9 a.m. to noon, at the Hazel Park Community Center, 620 West Woodward Heights in Hazel Park.
Oakland County Veterans’ Services has partnered with the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency, Oakland Community Health Network, Oakland County Housing & Neighborhood Development, Oakland County Michigan Works! and South Oakland Area Regional Chamber of Commerce to offer food and a variety of resources to all veterans, as well as active duty, guard and reserve service men and women, and their families.
“Our communities continue to rebound from the pandemic, but we know our proud veterans, as well as active duty and reserve personnel, are still struggling,” said Oakland County Executive David Coulter. “They served us and now we’re serving them through resource fairs that provide food and other invaluable services, no matter their age, health or work status. Our goal is to help out as many local veterans and service personnel as possible.”
There is no cost to participate in this event, but registration is required at www.eventbrite.com/e/veterans-resource-fair-tickets-165320950413.
Products and services provided to veterans by Oakland County include:
• Free, nonperishable food boxes.
• Completing an application for the COVID-19 Emergency Financial Relief Program.
• Assistance from Oakland County Housing & Neighborhood Development, with completing a Rent, Mortgage and Utility Relief grant application and housing counseling Career planning, training programs, and job search resources on a priority basis from Oakland County Michigan Works!,
• Counseling to address behavioral health issues and other concerns from the Oakland Community Health Network
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the number of veterans dealing with food and housing insecurity has spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic. A 2018 study in Women’s Health Issues indicated 28 percent of female veterans were “food insufficient.”
Another study by the National Center on Homelessness Among Veterans in 2015 found of those who were homeless or at-risk of being so, 50 percent experienced food insecurity. Census Bureau data indicates about 1.3 million veterans use Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits.
“There are about 60,000 U.S. veterans in Oakland County and, while the majority of them are financially stable, we know there are many who aren’t. They have certainly earned our help,” said Garth Wootten, manager, Oakland County Veterans’ Services. “This resource fair will provide food for their families and introduce them to the variety of services available to them today, from disability compensation to VA health care to employment services and more.”
Questions about the Veterans Resource Fair should be directed to Joy Wells, executive director, South Oakland Area Regional Chamber of Commerce, at joy@soar-cc.org.
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