WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Lending a hand to those who served this holiday season, a local nonprofit that helps veterans in need is looking for donations for their annual holiday meals program.
The Valor Clinic Foundation helps veterans in NEPA and beyond with everything from housing to fighting hunger.
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They are currently gearing up for their annual holiday meals program. This year, they plan to feed around 550 veterans' families.
"It's a significant amount of food. About 15,000 meals will go out over three days coming up very soon," said Mark Baylis, founder/president, Valor Clinic Foundation/ Sgt. Maj. U.S. Army retired.
Families will receive meal boxes with items for breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert.
Baylis says the need has grown for the program since last year,
And there are still a few items they're asking for to fill the hundreds of boxes.
"At breakfast the only thing we have left is bacon. For dessert we need pie crusts and fillings we need cake mixes and icings," said Baylis.
Baylis says the program is important because the holidays can be a trigger for many veterans, bringing memories of war to mind. Financial concerns can be an extra weight during an already stressful time for some, causing a ripple effect.
"Holidays are expensive buying gifts for the kids and traveling to see relatives. It can be another pressure they don't need. We don't want that added burden the financial burden at that critical time," said Baylis.
Serving up meals, as a small way to say thank you for your service.
In addition to food supplies, the Valor Clinic Foundation is also seeking drivers to deliver those meals.
