A free food program is helping a growing number of veterans in Monroe County, but one group wants to make the program more accessible to veterans in the north part of the county.
Every third Tuesday of the month, Chaplin Mike Ozer of Mount Pocono VFW Branch 3448 makes sure veterans in his area have enough food on the table. Ozer learned about the Military Share program at Gilbert West End Memorial American Legion Branch 927 about five months ago.
“I approached them and said what is this and asked if there was anyone in my area of Mount Pocono who really needed that kind of help, and there was,” Osell said.
He has received an assortment of non-perishable foods, fresh produce, milk, meat and eggs for the seven servicemen and women who are too proud or physically unable to attend, but he is looking for more veteran families in need up north so he can offer the program at his post.
“We have between 20 and 25 needy veteran families in our area who also need to overcome the stigma of asking for help,” Osar said.
Currently, about 55 veterans or their families participate in the drive-thru distribution in the West End, an effort Battle Born made possible a little over a year ago after learning about a growing food shortage at the Monroe County Veterans Administration.
“It’s been months of planning, but with the support of Second Harvest Food Bank, the National Guard Family Readiness Program and the Family Assistance Program, a collaborative effort to provide Military Share food packages has come to fruition,” said Battleborn founder Christopher Yarnell.
Marine Corps veteran Ken Hart takes advantage of the program every month, helping others pack with his group, “Band of Brothers,” which he calls a perk for serving his country.
“My dad was shunned when he came home from Vietnam, but now veterans are respected, and I think that’s a wonderful thing,” Hart said.
Others who stopped by said the food really helps during these difficult times.
“It’s hard to buy things these days, so you have to watch your spending,” said Army veteran Cathy Schiffer. “You can’t just decide, ‘I want to eat out tonight,'” she said. “If you want to do that, you have to think it through. So you have to think about everything you want to buy.”
If you would like to register for the next distribution, which will be held at Gilbert Legion on July 16th from 11am to 1pm, please contact Battle Borne or VFW Post 3448 in Mount Pocono.
