Veterans thank fellow veterans with month-to-month meals distributions – CBS Pittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Pittsburgh does not have an active duty military base, but veterans are still flocking to the area. Allegheny County has more veterans than any other part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

When the pandemic broke out in March, many veterans needed help.

Meghan Schiller from KDKA explains how a monthly grocery distribution led by the Veterans Leadership Program turned into an opportunity for veterans to say “thank you” to other veterans.

It’s a cool January day, 10 months into the pandemic, but Navy veteran Timothy Morise Jones is smiling under his mask.

“Whether it’s groceries, basic necessities, utilities, or rental assistance, there is such a great need,” said Jones.

He’s here to help out with other volunteers on the Veterans Leadership Program because he knows what it’s like to fight.

“I’m a Navy veteran myself. I was homeless for 10 years when I lived in Florida, ”he said.

And like nearly 80,000 other vets, he found his way to the Pittsburgh area after his service.

“Being part of it on the other side is so enjoyable and fulfilling. There is no price you can put for the reward we get for giving back to our community, ”he said.

Navy veteran Walter Threat didn’t expect to land here in the Strip District.

“It’s really a blessing to have people who still care enough about people who find themselves in situations they didn’t expect,” said Threat.

Military mom Kelly Nort appeared on Monday with her active son in tow.

“A lot of people don’t realize their victim and don’t realize what they go through every day when they get separated and what struggles they have,” said Nort. “They really think they are in good hands all the time and sometimes they are not.”

That is why the VLP will line up the boxes with dry food and fresh products over and over again.

“We’ll be doing it monthly on the second Monday of each month until it’s no longer necessary,” said Sean Buzzard, Wellness and Resilience Trainer, Veterans Leadership Program.

Take advantage of this need and turn it into an opportunity.

“The thing is, you are just adapting and conquering, and you’re not trying to let the situation go, you’re trying to get a handle on the situation,” said Threat.

The VLP gave away more than 150 donated portions of dry food and fresh products on Monday. The aim is to help all veterans and military families. It is distributed monthly in both the Strip District and Johnstown, Pennsylvania.