HVN funds meals for hungry vets
By Glynis Crawford Smith
The Highlander
Honor Veterans Now (HVN) is a new non-profit organization headquartered in Fredericksburg that seeks to eliminate hunger in a small but important part of American society: needy veterans who are under age 60.
“We all understand the importance of a hot meal, whether it’s at some remote military posting overseas or right here at home,” said Jere White, director of program initiatives for HVN. “It is a sad fact that some of the exceptional veterans who provided honorable service for our country today find themselves in situations in which they cannot afford to procure enough food daily to maintain a nutritious diet.
“HVN started after a local couple was shocked to learn that there are young vets in our community who are desperately in need of a regular hot meal because they do not meet the criteria for any VA benefits, they are not over the age of 60,” he said. “Because of their pride and self-esteem they are reluctant to ask for help.”
To address this situation, HVN was established in 2015 and started providing about a dozen meals each day to vets in Gillespie, Kerr, and, Bandera counties. Today the organization funds daily meals for more than 300 veterans in 27 counties, including Burnet County.
“Today’s veterans are men and women who voluntarily signed up to defend our country and, now for unfortunate reasons, some of them need help,” said White. “HVN believes it’s an honor to quietly respect and 'pick up the tab' so that these vets have a regular, hot, nutritious meal for as long as funding will allow. No other organization provides this social service.”
The HVN asks for more than prayers for veterans. It is looking for funding and support as well.
“It costs about $6 a day to provide a hot meal; about $140 per month, or $1,500 per year per veteran,” white explained. “If you or other individuals or civic groups or churches would like to help with a one-time gift or with continuing support, the veterans being served in this program would greatly appreciate it, and our community will be better off.”
The non-profit organization provides grants to meal providers such as Burnet County Meals on Wheels operated through Opportunities in Williamson and Burnet County (OWBC) and those in turn support meals for veterans.
“If you know veterans who may benefit from this program, please let them know about HVN,” said White.
Meals on Wheels for Burnet, Marble Falls, Granite Shoals and Spicewood areas are coordinated through the OWBC office in the Seriff Center (Boys & Girls Club for the Highland Lakes – Marble Falls), located at 1701 Broadway Street in Marble Falls. Call Jamie McAffee, the site leader, at 512-715-9717 or 830-798-0512, to help direct hot meals to anyone over the age of 60 and to veterans of any age.
To learn more about HVN, its activities, volunteer opportunities and financial needs, call 830-992-3375 or 1-800-676-1389, or visit the website, www.honorveteransnow.org.
