A Season of Giving Continues: Marion VA's Unprecedented Holiday Box Donations
In a follow up from last month’s feel-good story about how the Marion VA, with the help and support of our community partners, were able to provide nearly 550 Thanksgiving boxes to Veterans in need during the holiday. We have an update, and you are going to want to hear this. Here's a quick recap:
Recap: Matthew Walton, an Army Veteran and Voluntary Service Specialist with the Volunteer Transportation Network (VTN), has seen the Thanksgiving food box program grow significantly over its six years. This year, the program aimed to provide 352 boxes but received nearly 550, thanks to the incredible community support. Primary care providers like social workers, nurses, and doctors refer patients experiencing food insecurity to the program. Each box contains enough food for a family of five, plus a gift card to Walmart for a turkey or ham. The program thrives on a dedicated team of volunteers who assemble and deliver the boxes, ensuring timely delivery within a tri-state area across 52 counties. Walton expressed deep appreciation for the overwhelming gratitude from veterans and the unwavering support from local organizations like DAV and the American Legion.
Post-Thanksgiving update.
The Thanksgiving food box program continues to grow, reflecting the incredible support and dedication of the community. Chandra Murdock, the Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) Chief, has provided an exciting update on this year's success.
"With a heartfelt thank you for all your support during this Thanksgiving Season! We had our most successful Thanksgiving Blessing Box donation and distribution to date!" Murdock shared. The program began with a referral list of 335, presented to VA staff, family, friends, and community partners. The response was overwhelming, resulting in the delivery of 517 Thanksgiving meals to veterans.
But the generosity did not stop there. A significant donation allowed the distribution of enough food to fill 200 additional boxes, with the total number of food boxes reaching a staggering 990. "I feel very honored and blessed to work with such amazing people both inside and outside of the VA who are willing to step up and provide when needed," Murdock expressed. "Thank you all for making this year the best on record!"
The program's growth highlights the power of community and collective effort, ensuring that veterans feel valued and supported during the holiday season.