It’s not simply vets. Roughly 1 in 4 energetic obligation navy and Reserve members depend on meals financial institution donations to feed their households.
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Our navy veterans, who’ve sacrificed a lot for this nation, ought to by no means need to go to mattress hungry or marvel the place they may get their subsequent meal.
Meals insecurity is an actual situation impacting the day-to-day lives of many veterans throughout the nation, and it’s one we’ll focus on proper right here in Kansas Metropolis in the course of the 123rd Annual VFW Nationwide Conference kicking off July 16.
Throughout this vital annual occasion, 1000’s of our nation’s veterans come collectively to debate present monetary, employment, well being and social points affecting veterans, energetic service members and their households.
Meals insecurity is a precedence well being situation for us, as about 11% of working-age veterans lived in food-insecure households between 2015 and 2019, in accordance with the Veterans Well being Administration. Additionally, roughly 1 in 4 energetic obligation navy and Reserve members depends on meals financial institution donations to feed their households.
These are challenges we should fight collectively as a society. That’s why, as partwork of our 10-year relationship, Humana and the VFW organized the Uniting to Fight Starvation marketing campaign to fight meals insecurity for veterans, energetic service women and men, and their households. Since its inception in 2018, the marketing campaign has supplied greater than 3.5 million meals to these in want. Whereas that is an unimaginable quantity, it hasn’t solved the issue.
About 1.3 million veterans depend on the Supplemental Vitamin Help Program, or meals stamps, of their family. Guaranteeing they’ve constant entry to wholesome meals is important.
For veterans, common entry to wholesome meals might imply:
▪ Spending much less on well being care. Meals insecurity results in an unhealthy weight-reduction plan. Getting access to wholesome meals will help stop well being issues from creating, which suggests fewer journeys to the physician.
▪ Lacking fewer days of labor. Wholesome meals result in more healthy our bodies and minds. Wholesome folks don’t want as many sick days.
▪ Enhancing well being. Common entry to wholesome meals will help lower the chance of widespread well being issues, corresponding to diabetes, melancholy, hypertension and congestive coronary heart failure.
▪ Staying energetic. Everyone knows if you happen to don’t really feel good, you aren’t going to need to be energetic. Consuming low-cost, filling meals which might be much less nutritious can influence well being and power ranges.
Regardless of our continued progress towards reducing meals insecurity, the battle isn’t over. We should come collectively as a nation for individuals who have given a lot for us. To study extra concerning the Uniting to Fight Starvation marketing campaign, go to www.vfw.org/uniting-to-combat-hunger
Edward Sandrick is the director of the Veterans Channel at Humana and a former member of america Marine Corps. He co-authored this with Fritz Mihelcic, VFW Nationwide Commander.
This story was initially printed July 15, 2022 5:00 AM.
