Feeding Those Who Fed Us: A Call to Action

Many people think of veterans as heroes, but what happens when these heroes can't afford to eat? Nearly 1 in 4 veterans in the U. S. live in poverty or just get by paycheck to paycheck. Even with tight budgets, they still struggle to cover basic needs like housing and transportation. Sadly, food is often the first thing they cut. The U. S. Department of Agriculture reports that 1. 5 million veterans face hunger or food insecurity. Surprisingly, veterans aged 65-74 are now the most at risk, a change from just a few years ago. Women veterans and those with disabilities are hit even harder. Nearly 1 in 5 women veterans, many with children, report food insecurity. Over a third of disabled working-age veterans struggle to put food on the table. VA disability benefits are meant to help cover extra costs of living with a disability. However, these benefits are often counted as income in some federal programs, which can block veterans from getting assistance. For example, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) can provide essential food support, but many veterans are excluded because their disability benefits push them over the income limit. Only 4. 9% of food-insecure veterans received SNAP assistance in 2023. On Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, we honor veterans with speeches, parades, and feasts. But what good are these gestures if veterans can't afford to eat? It's time to move beyond empty thanks and take meaningful action. Supporting organizations like DAV's Volunteer for Veterans program, helping at local veteran food pantries, and advocating for policy changes can make a real difference. Veterans stood up for us; now it's our turn to stand up for them. Through awareness, advocacy, and community support, we can work towards a future where all veterans live safe, healthy lives—free from hunger. That's something truly worth celebrating.