Food insecurity is a big problem for many veterans across the country.
About 1.4 million veterans live in households that use food stamps. Though studies show that of those eligible, only about one in three are using the program, according to a letter written last fall by members of the House Veterans Affairs subcommittee on Economic Opportunity to Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue.
Veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are also nearly twice as likely to be food insecure than the general population, the letter states. And, households with a disabled veteran are nearly twice as likely to be food insecure as households that don't have someone with a disability.
To help fill any food gaps that veterans living in Massachusetts may be facing, Project New Hope recently opened up a food pantry where all you need is a military I.D.
“Project New Hope serves veterans and active military individuals and families, an often unrecognized and underserved population when it comes to food insecurity,” said William Moore, a disabled veteran who founded the non-profit in 2011. “Many of the active duty service men and women, military veterans and their families we serve live at or below the poverty line.”
Moore estimates that the pantry will serve around 60 individuals/30 families a month.
“Project New Hope’s vision is one of hope, and a fulfilling life, for every current or former service member and their family, Gold Star honoree or survivor who has felt the impact of military service,” he explained.
The pantry has two objectives, according to Moore.
“To increase access to healthy food for Project New Hope participants by adding healthy, stable food products to the pantry and to build connections with isolated individuals and families to engage them in Project New Hope and other community supports,” he said.
Moore said the pantry, which is open the first and third Saturdays of the month, has served a steady stream of veterans and active-duty personnel since it opened in January. Project New Hope also operates a baby pantry that provides clothing, diapers and other childcare essentials.
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