Edmonton Veterans Association asking for donations to food bank – Edmonton | 24CA News
On the anniversary of D-Day, the Veterans Association in Edmonton and Calgary opened its doorways to share the way it’s serving to army and RCMP veterans and attraction for group help.
The affiliation helps greater than 1,000 veterans with the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP by its Edmonton and Calgary places.
It runs the Veterans Association Food Bank but in addition helps individuals fill out Veterans Affairs paperwork and entry psychological well being help.
“As a veteran myself, with 20 years in the service and four tours overseas, I’ve been diagnosed with PTSD,” mentioned Melanie Harris, spokesperson for the Veterans Association.
“To have a place for me to come and have purpose after service is very important…. It might be a simple hello, a cup of coffee, or even a food hamper for the day.”
Harris mentioned veterans’ impulse to serve could make accessing the overall meals financial institution difficult.
“If they line up at the regular food bank, they’re going to look over and say, ‘That person needs it more than I do,’ and they’ll step out of line,” she mentioned.
The Veterans Food Bank is run by different veterans.
“You can leave shame at the door and we’ll just help in your journey to healing,” Harris mentioned.
After launching two years in the past, within the midst of the pandemic, the group wants donations to satisfy the wants of veterans and their households, particularly non-perishable meals, present playing cards and financial donations.
“Our next food hamper delivery is on the 17th of June and we don’t have enough food to feed our 155 families,” Harris mentioned. “We need your support.”
Every Tuesday, dozens of Edmonton-based veterans collect without spending a dime espresso and fellowship. Second World War veteran Willie Atkins is certainly one of them. He was a rifleman with the Regina Rifles and served with the Canadian Armed Forces between 1944 and 1947.
“This means the world to me,” the 97-year-old mentioned of the affiliation. “I think I’m one of the biggest donators here. I love this place. They’re doing a marvellous job.
“It’s important — mighty important. Anybody with an orange shirt works here — for nothing. It means a lot.”
On June 6, 1944, Allied troops, together with 14,000 Canadians, landed or parachuted onto the beachfront code-named “Juno.” Canada misplaced 359 troopers on that seaside.
Atkins wasn’t a part of Juno. He arrived in Europe on Nov. 17, 1944 however remembers D-Day nicely.
“The Germans were so powerful at that time, but Canadians were more powerful, that’s all.”
The Veterans Association of Edmonton is gearing up for its largest meals drive ever, being hosted by the Edmonton Elks Football Club on opening evening, June 11. Edmontonians are requested to convey a donation and drop it off at one of many 4 essential entrances earlier than the sport or use the QR code to donate. Donations may also be dropped off at The Veterans Association in west Edmonton.
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