Food for Health, a program under the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, has launched the Heroes Pantry in San Diego to alleviate the burden of food insecurity among veterans, active duty servicemembers, and military families exacerbated by the high cost of living, especially for those facing health challenges or needing to cover medical expenses.
The new Heroes Pantry will offer fresh vegetables and fruits sourced directly from farms, with a focus on providing healthy options tailored to veterans with specific dietary needs. It is open and free to all veterans and active duty members. It will operate bi-weekly initially and expand to weekly distributions as needed.
Research from the Military Family Advisory Network reveals that food insecurity among military and veteran families is twice the national average, affecting one in six households. RAND reports that 1.4 million veterans struggle to access adequate food, leading to severe health implications.
“It is unacceptable that those who have served and protected our nation are going hungry,” said Carlos Marroquin, national director of food for health programs at AHF. “Veterans and active military personnel have sacrificed their well-being for our safety, and it is our duty to ensure they have access to nutritious food.”
“Veterans should not be forced to choose between basic necessities like rent and food,” added Wendy Calderon, VFW Post commander. “The rising cost of living has deprived many of them of a healthy lifestyle. The Heroes Pantry aims to provide assistance and promote wellness among those who have selflessly served our country.”
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the world’s largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 1.9 million individuals across 45 countries, including the U.S. and in Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Eastern Europe. To learn more about AHF, visit us online at AIDShealth.org, find us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok, and subscribe to our AHFter Hours podcast.
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