{"id":8360,"date":"2024-02-14T15:30:00","date_gmt":"2024-02-14T15:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8360"},"modified":"2024-02-14T15:30:00","modified_gmt":"2024-02-14T15:30:00","slug":"south-texas-va-fights-food-insecurity-with-community-support","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/itsveterans.com\/?p=8360","title":{"rendered":"South Texas VA fights food insecurity with community support"},"content":{"rendered":"

Originally published:<\/strong> 2024-02-14T15:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.<\/p>\n

A VA Hunger Awareness Resource event collaborated to fight Veteran\u00a0food insecurity in South Texas.<\/p>\n

This successful event enabled South Texas VA<\/a> to screen 175 Veterans for food insecurity, hand out 335 bags of produce and non-perishables, and help Veterans complete Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program applications.<\/p>\n

Fifteen community partners participated, including 2-1-1 Texas, Good Samaritan Veteran Outreach & Transition Center, Soldiers\u2019 Angels, Meals on Wheels South Texas, Meals for Vets, Conviva, San Antonio Food Bank and Catholic Charities.<\/p>\n

From 2015-2019, 11.1% of working age Veterans<\/a> lived in food insecure households. Veterans are also 7.4% more likely to experience food insecurity than non-Veterans, which may contribute to increased rates of depression and suicidal ideation<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Providing expertise, direction and support<\/h2>\n

The National Center for Healthcare Advancement and Partnerships (HAP)<\/a> empowers the community and VA to develop meaningful partnerships for Veterans by providing expertise, direction and support at the national, state and local levels.<\/p>\n

Through Veteran Community Partnerships (VCPs)<\/a>, VA partners with community organizations to increase Veteran food security. The initiative helps VA medical centers and local organizations leverage resources to improve the lives of Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors.<\/p>\n

\u201cVCPs bridge gaps and provide Veterans and their families with necessary resources that VA cannot provide,\u201d said Dr. Jamie Davis, health system specialist. \u201cHAP supports the VCP program and the people dedicated to serving Veterans.\u201d<\/p>\n

A leading national health concern<\/a>, food insecurity can result in malnutrition and chronic health conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, certain cancers and mental health disorders. Long-term food insecurity<\/a> often leads to multiple medical conditions and contributes to higher overall death rates.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe general public is often unaware that many Veterans struggle to provide nutritious food for themselves and their families,\u201d said Amber Miracle, social worker for South Texas VA Whole Health program. \u201cOur goal is to educate and motivate the people of South Texas to join our collaborative effort to provide accessible food for Veterans in our community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want Veterans to know we are here.\u201d<\/h2>\n

\u201cApproximately 55,000 South Texas Veterans are food insecure. We focus on providing support for Veterans and their families,\u201d said Cristina Elizondo, facility food security program coordinator. \u201cWe want Veterans to know we are here and we\u2019re ready to provide the best, most accessible care for Veterans, caregivers and family members. Veterans have given so much to us and now it\u2019s our time to serve them.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

VA food security resources<\/h2>\n