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The Rio Grande Valley’s VA clinics are holding free drive-thru food pantries offering veterans healthy food.
In McAllen, the VA is holding a drive-thru food pantry at its clinic from 8:30 to 11 a.m., or while supplies last on Jan. 18 at its clinic at 901 East Hackberry Ave., the agency stated in a press release.
In Harlingen, the agency’s drive-thru food pantry is set to open from 9 to 11 a.m., or while supplies last, on Feb. 22 at its clinic at 2601 Veterans Drive.
Organizers are requesting veterans remain in their vehicles while the VA’s staff verifies their eligibility.
The agency’s holding the clinics to offer veterans healthy food, the press release stated.
“More than a million American veterans are food insecure,” the agency stated, citing RAND Corporation findings. “Food insecurity — the inability to secure enough food to maintain health — can involve relying on cheap, unhealthy food. Adjusting for a range of characteristics, including age, the RAND report said veteran status was associated with a 7.4% increased likelihood of living in a household with food insecurity and a 9.2% increased likelihood of being very food insecure, which means regularly skipping meals.”
The problem can turn deadly, the press release stated.
“Not having enough to eat can lead to physical and mental health conditions and increase a veteran’s risk of suicide,” Hugo Martinez, the VA’s spokesman, said. “Our food pantries are one way we are tackling this very serious issue. If you’re a veteran in need, VA is here for you.”
The VA plans to continue offering its service.
“The VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Health Care System will continue its efforts to ensure that no veteran goes hungry,” the press release stated. “In addition to health care, VA also provides education, employment and housing assistance to veterans in need.”
Veterans who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness are can contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-4AID-VET (877-424-3838).
For more information, follow the Texas Valley Coastal Bend VA on Facebook.
