VFW Unmet Needs Program on Track for Record-Breaking Year
4,300 families helped since program inception
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (March 28, 2017) – The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is proud to announce that its Unmet Needs program has already exceeded $1 million in financial assistance grants to more than 420 military and veteran families since the VFW’s fiscal year began in September.
This puts Unmet Needs on track for the highest level of assistance provided in a single year since the program’s inception in 2004, more than doubling its previous assistance record with six months left to go.
“Reaching this milestone has been monumental for the VFW and the hundreds of families we’ve helped,” said VFW National Commander Brian Duffy. “Unmet Needs was founded with the goal of helping ensure America’s veterans are able to remain in their homes, provided with reliable transportation, and have the means to keep their families fed, and that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
The program’s vision, generosity and positive impact has been far-reaching. To date, it’s provided more than $7 million in emergency financial assistance has been awarded to more than 4,300 military families in their most desperate times of need.
Families like the Philippis, who fell behind on their bills after a fire devastated their home, or the Youngses, who couldn’t afford the necessary repairs after tree roots ruptured a pipeline to their home.
Through the generosity of individuals and corporate sponsors like BURGER KING® franchise owners, the VFW Unmet Needs program has also been able to greatly expand its coverage, now awarding up to $5,000 to eligible active-duty service members and veterans.
To learn more about the program, visit www.vfw.org/UnmetNeeds.
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ABOUT THE VFW: The Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. is the nation’s largest and oldest major war veterans organization. Founded in 1899 and chartered by Congress in 1936, the VFW is comprised entirely of eligible veterans and military service members from the active, Guard and Reserve forces. With nearly 1.7 million VFW and Auxiliary members located in more than 6,500 Posts worldwide, the nonprofit veterans service organization is proud to proclaim “NO ONE DOES MORE FOR VETERANS” than the VFW, which is dedicated to veterans’ service, legislative advocacy, and military and community service programs. For more information or to join, visit our website at www.vfw.org.