Veterans and Family Support 

November 2026

 

 

 Brothers and Sisters,

 

The fall and winter months are when many of our Auxiliaries are reaching out and volunteering with Thanksgiving and Christmas Food Drives. Food insecurity affects veterans, military families, and their pets year-round. Rising household expenses and uncertainty about public and private benefits can make it difficult for families to keep food on the table. As VFW Auxiliary members, we have a powerful opportunity to connect our veterans and their families with resources, offer compassionate support, and remind them they do not have to face these challenges alone.

 

Oregon SNAP/EBT Benefits SNAP provides eligible households with monthly food benefits through the Oregon Trail Card.

• Apply or check eligibility: Oregon SNAP

• EBT card assistance: 888-997-4447

• Find local food assistance: Dial 211 or visit 211info.org.

 

 

Connect veterans and families with local food pantries and food distribution sites.

•Website: Oregon Food Bank Food Finder

•Assistance locating food: 211

 

 

FIDO Pet Food Bank — Oregon City

Pets are family, too! FIDO helps people access pet food resources. Veteran-Specific Programs

• Address: 14186 Fir Street, Suite 203, Oregon City, OR 97045

• Phone: 503-655-3663

• Website: fidoanimeals.org

•Regular assistance: The third Saturday of the month, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

•Wednesday assistance: 9 a.m.–noon by appointment.

 

Call ahead to confirm current hours, eligibility, application requirements, and availability. If a veteran is struggling to feed a pet, please share this resource before that family feels forced to make a heartbreaking decision.

 

VFW–Humana Hunger Relief

The VFW and Humana have partnered to address food insecurity and other challenges facing veterans and their families. Auxiliaries can organize food drives, partner with local food pantries, collect needed supplies, and connect veterans with community resources.

 

 

The VFW Foundation offers a matching grant of up to $1,500 for qualifying food-security and homeless-relief efforts. Current grant requirements, minimum contributions, and application procedures should be reviewed at the VFW Uniting for Veterans page.

 

Oregon VFW Service Office — Assistance with VA disability claims and benefits.

•Phone: 503-412-4757

•Email: vfw.vbaport@va.gov

•Address: VA Regional Office, 100 SW Main Street, Suite 200, Portland, OR 97204

•Website: VFW Department of Oregon

 

 

Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs: Oregon.gov/ODVA — Benefits assistance and local county Veteran Service Officers.

 

Veterans Crisis Line: Dial 988, then press 1, text 838255, or visit VeteransCrisisLine.net. Free, confidential support is available 24/7.

 

 

Every Auxiliary has something special to offer—community connections, fundraising skills, social media outreach, transportation assistance, food pantry partnerships, or simply a caring phone call.

 

 

Develop an idea that helps veterans and their families access food, pet food, housing assistance, veteran benefits support, or other essential services.

 

 

Submit your Auxiliary's idea for a chance to receive a prize at Midwinter! Ideas may be new proposals or projects already underway

 

Include these four items:

 

1.Your idea: What do you propose or already do?

2. Community need: What problem are you addressing?

3.Proposed activity: What will your Auxiliary do?

4.Expected or actual impact: How will veterans and families benefit? 

 

 

Our mission goes beyond collecting donations. It means connecting veterans and military families with help, keeping pets with the families who love them, and making sure no one feels forgotten. Thank you for all you are for our Veterans and their families.