Veterans Stand Down awarded grant

The Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry in Kalispell has been awarded a grant and per diem from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The program is offered annually to fund community agencies providing services to homeless veterans.

Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry is a veterans’ service center dedicated to extending a helping hand up to homeless, low-income and at-risk veterans and their families.

In 2016, Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry helped over 4,000 military veterans and their families, including over 400 children. This included monthly food boxes and a “stand down” where surplus military and civilian clothing and other items were distributed to our veterans.

Some of its programs include:

-Raising community awareness to and advocating for the unmet needs of veterans.

-Providing veterans and their families with nutritional food boxes.

-Equipping homeless and newly housed veteran households with clothing and furnishings.

-Sponsoring annual stand downs to provide services and assistance.

-Helping clients obtain Veterans Affair benefits and medical system

enrollment in VA benefits.

-Providing veteran-to-veteran peer counseling and referrals to homeless shelters, housing, jobs, VA medical clinics, mental health specialists and other community resources.

The Veterans Clothing and More Store supports both the local community as well as its veterans by offering good quality clothing and furniture at low prices.