STATUS: Open

SERVICE AREA: Nationwide; some services are available only at participating VA facilities or in communities with Soldiers’ Angels food programs.

CLIENTS SERVED: U.S. veterans of all generations. Individual programs may focus on low income, homelessness or housing instability, VA enrollment, HUD-VASH participation, or other circumstances.

DESCRIPTION: Provides support to veterans through community programs and participating VA medical facilities. Services place particular emphasis on veterans experiencing food insecurity, homelessness, financial hardship, or other critical needs, while VA-based programs provide comfort and support to veteran patients.

PROGRAMS/SERVICES:

• Food Assistance: Available to Servicemembers and Veterans. Provides groceries through food distributions and food pantries in Atlanta, Charlotte, Detroit, San Antonio, and, in the future, West Palm Beach. Food distributions generally provide fresh produce, meat, and pantry staples. Veterans who are low-income, homeless, and at-risk may receive box lunches and VA cafeteria gift cards, but must work through their VA case managers and social workers.
• Veteran Transportation Program: Provides free transportation to medical appointments and other essential VA services for low-income veterans who cannot afford transportation and are not eligible for VA beneficiary travel or travel reimbursement. Assistance may include public transportation passes, Lyft or Uber rides, and Greyhound tickets for long-distance travel. Services are generally available within 50 miles of participating VA hospitals, with longer-distance requests considered individually. Veterans must request assistance through their VA social worker, who coordinates transportation and determines eligibility. Currently available in San Antonio, Sacramento, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, Orlando, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C.
• Holiday Adopt-A-Family: Provides holiday assistance to qualifying post-9/11 veterans who were honorably discharged and have a VA disability rating of at least 10%, and veterans currently housed through HUD-VASH. Approved families receive gifts and a gift card toward a holiday meal. Household income limits and dependent verification apply. Registration opens in September and ends when capacity is reached.
• Homeless Veteran Assistance: Provides supplies and other practical support to homeless veterans and veterans transitioning from homelessness into housing.
• HUD-VASH Support: Helps formerly homeless veterans transitioning into permanent housing through HUD-VASH with household and basic-needs supplies.
• VA Hospital Support: Volunteers at participating VA medical facilities provide patient visits, hygiene kits, meals, coffee carts, social activities, holiday events, and other comfort and morale support.

HOW TO ACCESS SERVICES:

• Food Assistance: Create a food-assistance profile online and then register for an available event.
• All other Veteran Support Programs: Contact your VA case manager/social worker to register for services, or register through the Soldier’s Angels online form.