Greenville VA Food Pantry Serves More Than 50 Veteran Households, Connects Veterans to Critical Resources

Hosted at the Greenville VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC) in recognition of National Nutrition Month and Social Work Month, the event brought together nutrition services, social work, HUD-VASH and voluntary services to address food insecurity and promote whole health.

“Nutrition is a cornerstone of overall health and wellness,” said Meghan Sanchez-Martinez, a registered dietitian at the Greenville VA CBOC. “A balanced diet ensures the body receives the essential nutrients it needs to function optimally. Proper nutrition can help prevent and manage chronic diseases like diabetes, hypertension and heart disease, while also improving energy levels, mental clarity and emotional well-being.”

Sanchez-Martinez said those factors are especially important for Veterans, who may face unique health challenges related to their service.

VA staff designed the event to directly address food insecurity, a key social determinant of health that can significantly impact long-term outcomes.

“Participating in initiatives like this is essential because it directly addresses Veteran food insecurity,” Sanchez-Martinez said. “By providing easy access to nutritious food and health services, VA is supporting Veterans in achieving better health outcomes and improving their overall quality of life.”

The event also highlighted the connection between nutrition and social support systems.

“This effort aligns with National Nutrition Month by raising awareness about the importance of food access and making informed nutrition choices,” said Savanna Jones, a social work supervisor at the Greenville VA CBOC. “At the same time, it highlights the role social workers play in addressing food insecurity and connecting Veterans to vital resources. Those two areas are deeply connected.”

Veterans often face multiple barriers to accessing healthy food, including financial challenges, limited transportation and living in areas without nearby grocery stores.

“Some Veterans also face physical limitations or disabilities that make shopping or cooking more difficult,” said Kyle Elsea, a social worker at the Greenville VA CBOC. “Events like this help remove those barriers by bringing free, nutritious food directly to them in a way that’s accessible and convenient.”

The drive-through format also allowed staff to engage with Veterans and identify additional needs beyond food access.

During the event, staff connected at least one Veteran experiencing both food and housing insecurity with HUD-VASH and social work services for continued support.

“That’s the real impact of events like this,” Jones said. “We’re not just meeting an immediate need — we’re identifying bigger challenges and connecting Veterans to the resources that can help them long term.”

Access to nutritious food plays a critical role in both physical and mental health, staff said.

“Physically, a balanced diet supports immune function, energy levels and chronic disease management,” Sanchez-Martinez said. “Mentally, it can improve mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and enhance cognitive function. Even something as simple as sharing food or being part of a supportive environment can help build social connections, which are just as important to overall well-being.”

Melissa Dimarino, TeleMOVE coordinator at the Greenville VA CBOC, said the event reflects VA’s broader commitment to whole health and community-based care.

“Events like this demonstrate how our teams come together to support Veterans in a holistic way,” Dimarino said. “We’re addressing immediate needs like food access, but we’re also creating opportunities to connect Veterans with programs, education and support systems that can have a lasting impact on their health and stability.”

Columbia VAHCS offers a range of nutrition-focused programs designed to give Veterans the tools and confidence to build healthier lifestyles.

One of those programs, the Healthy Teaching Kitchen, provides hands-on cooking instruction that focuses on simple, affordable meals Veterans can prepare at home.

“The Healthy Teaching Kitchen is about building confidence,” Sanchez-Martinez said. “We show Veterans how to take basic, pantry-friendly ingredients and turn them into nutritious meals they can easily recreate.”

During a recent session held in partnership with HUD-VASH at the A.T. Wikes House in Greenville, staff demonstrated how to prepare microwave bean burritos using ingredients commonly found in pantry boxes. Veterans sampled the meal during the session and received the recipe to take home.

“Many Veterans are surprised by how good these meals taste and how easy they are to make,” Sanchez-Martinez said. “It helps remove the intimidation factor and shows that healthy eating can be simple, accessible and affordable.”

These types of programs create opportunities for connection, bringing Veterans together in a relaxed environment where they can learn, share experiences and build community.

Columbia VAHCS staff are also preparing for future initiatives like a Seed Swap event, which will allow Veterans to pick up free seeds to grow their own fruits, vegetables and herbs at home.

“Programs like the Seed Swap promote long-term access to fresh food while also encouraging sustainability and self-sufficiency,” Sanchez-Martinez said.

Staff emphasized that these programs are designed not only to provide resources, but to empower Veterans to take control of their health.

“We want Veterans to feel equipped and confident in making healthy choices,” Sanchez-Martinez said. “When you combine access to food with education and support, it creates lasting change.”

Staff also encouraged Veterans to take advantage of available services and attend future events.

“This is a judgment-free, respectful environment,” Jones said. “These resources exist to support Veterans. Accepting help isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s a step toward stability and better health.”

Veterans can also access additional services through VA, including personalized nutrition counseling, MOVE! weight management programs and other wellness resources designed to support healthier lifestyles.

For more information about what’s going on at the Columbia VA medical center, clinic locations, and other services available to Veterans in and around Columbia, visit the website https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, keyword: VAColumbiaSC.