The North West Montana Veterans Stand Down & Food Pantry is dedicated to extending a helping hand up to homeless, low-income and at-risk veterans and their families. These heroes have sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution and people of the United States of America and now we must uphold them in their time of need.
Current Services
Current services to homeless veterans include shower and laundry facilities and the “One to Wear One To Wash”, a free clothing program. We are working to expand services to include shelter, workshops & classes, and self-help resources for veterans.
We administer a multi-faceted operation designed to accommodate each individual’s unique needs. Our mission is to offer wraparound services to our qualifying veterans through the many aspects of our program which include:
- Raising community awareness to and advocating for the unmet needs of veterans.
- Nourishing hungry veterans and their families with nutritional food boxes.
- Equipping homeless and newly housed veteran households with clothing and furnishings.
- Outreaching as many veterans as possible through our biannual Stand Downs.
- Helping clients obtain Veterans Affair benefits and medical system enrollment.
- Providing veteran to veteran peer counseling and referrals to homeless shelters, housing, jobs, VA medical clinics, mental health specialists and other community resources.
Building self-esteem by extending a helping hand up NOT a hand out; we provide a warm welcome, haircuts by appointment, access to laundry & shower facilities and hot coffee.
We are working to expand services to include shelter, workshops & classes, and self-help resources for veterans.
Veterans fall into the cycle of poverty just like civilians do and for similar reasons:
- Shortage of available/affordable housing
- Inadequate financial resources
- Lack of access to healthcare
- Medical problems – especially PTSD
- Not aware of VA benefits
- No skills for the work place
- Lack of support from family and friends
- Lack of trust in Government & Society
Veterans are a unique population because they are trained to depend on no one but themselves and each other. They WON’T ask for charity. This is why it is important to offer assistance using a “Veterans Serving Veterans” approach. It helps establish trust and understanding.
