Roanoke Elks Lodge donates $2,000 to Homeless Veteran Stand Down

More than three dozen homeless Veterans made their way to the Salem Civic Center Nov. 9 to take part in Stand Down for Homeless Veterans, a program run through the combined efforts of the Salem VA Health Care System, Department of Labor, Total Action for Progress, and the Virginia Employment Commission.

The modified event allowed homeless Veterans to access information on housing and employment, COVID-19, flu, and Hepatitis A vaccinations, as well as access to coats, shoes, winter and comfort items. A boxed meal was also provided. In addition to support provided by the Department of Labor to run the event, the Roanoke Elk’s Lodge #197 supported the Veterans by purchasing $2,000 worth of essentials to be distributed.

“Through our national foundation, we have applied for and received grants of $2,000 for the last three years to help support the Stand Down,” said Barbara Brandtner, Past Exalted Ruler of Lodge 197. “This year we called Tanyia and asked for a wish list, and then we went and bought those things.”

The wish list included items such as blankets, pillows, pots and pans, can openers and other household essentials that people often don’t consider.

“We’re trying to find housing for our homeless Veterans, and people often donate canned food and other items, all of which are important and appreciated,” said Tanyia Jones social worker and Healthcare for Homeless Veterans Coordinator with the Salem VA HCS. “But we often forget you need a way to open those cans. The continued support of the Elk’s Lodge 197 has been transformative in what we are able to do to decrease the number of Veteran Homeless in the area.”

This is the third consecutive year of Lodge 197’s substantial donation, and the Elks are looking forward to being able to continue to help.

“Over the years, Lodge 197 has donated more than $9 million within the local area,” said long-time lodge secretary and US Navy Veteran Bill Chase. “Lodge 197 has been active since 1891, and we are dedicated to Veteran causes and are hoping to work more closely not just with the Salem VA Health Care System but with other Veterans as well.”

Vince Brandtner, husband of Barbara and also a Past Exalted Ruler of Lodge 197, said, “Veterans have been a priority to us for a long time. We used to hold a cook-out and ice cream social here twice a year, and we look forward to being able to do that again for the Veterans here and at the Virginia Veterans Care Center next door.”

The Stand Down is part of a US Department of Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supporting Housing (HUD-VASH) initiative to help homeless Veterans and their families find and sustain permanent housing.