LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — The Allen County Veterans Service Commission is urging local veterans to reach out for assistance and utilize the benefits available to them. Staff members say many veterans are unaware of the help they qualify for or hesitate to ask, and they want to change that.
The commission provides support with food, housing, utilities and other immediate needs.
“We provide temporary emergency financial assistance to our county veterans. We will assist with rent, house payments, food, utilities and other items such as gas cards, work boots, things like that. So if a veteran is in need or they're having a hard time we don't want to see them without. We want them to come to our office now before it gets out of hand so we can help them,” said Tamara Wilson, executive director of the Allen County Veterans Service Commission.
The commission is currently accepting applications for its holiday voucher outreach program, which allows veterans to use a voucher to purchase food for their holiday meal. The deadline for Thanksgiving assistance is Friday, Nov. 21. Applications for Christmas vouchers will be accepted from Dec. 1 through Dec. 19.
The commission is currently accepting applications for its holiday voucher outreach program.
They are also preparing for “Operation Christmas Cheer,” set for Dec. 6 at the Veterans Memorial Civic Center from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The free event is open to any veteran with valid proof of service and their family.
