As Americans prepare for Thanksgiving, veterans face food insecurity in significant numbers: study

This Thanksgiving, 1 successful 9 working-age veterans is facing nutrient insecurity, according to Feeding America. 

Of the thousands of veterans surveyed by Yale School of Medicine's Veterans Aging Cohort Study, 24% reported being nutrient insecure. 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines nutrient insecurity arsenic "a household-level economic and societal information of constricted oregon uncertain entree to capable food."

"Veterans travel to america due to the fact that they're overcharged connected their recognition cards, cars are being repossessed, they're being foreclosed on, oregon they're being evicted from their homes," retired Air Force Lt. Col. and America's Warrior Partnership (AWP) CEO Jim Lorraine told Fox News Digital. "It's the economy." 

US VETS ORGANIZATION WORKING TO COMBAT VETERAN HOMELESSNESS

Marines person meal astatine a Thanksgiving solemnisation astatine Camp Pendleton successful San Clemente, California, connected Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. Marines from the 5th Marine Regiment were treated by the Dana Point 5th Marine Regiment Support Group. (Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

Lorraine said the veterans who are astir impacted are those connected fixed income oregon veterans who are severely disabled connected fixed income.

He served nine combat deployments arsenic a formation caregiver and retired arsenic a lieutenant colonel and the lawman bid surgeon for the United States Special Operations Command aft 22 years of service. He present takes attraction of his wife, who is besides a veteran. This vacation season, helium is asking radical to inquire themselves however they tin springiness back.

"Veterans unpaid astatine a 90% higher complaint than those who didn't service successful the military," helium said, asking those who cognize astir AWP to archer a seasoned however the nonprofit tin assistance them up of immoderate situation they whitethorn face. 

GARY SINISE FOUNDATION, BUILDING COMPANY PRESENT FREE HOME TO WOUNDED ARMY VETERAN

A Thanksgiving repast acceptable connected a array with a turkey and each the broadside dishes. (Adobe Stock)

He besides suggested however radical tin assistance the cause.

"At checkout, whether it's to donate a turkey oregon canned goods oregon to spell to the section American Legion oregon VWF that person events," Lorraine said. "Live with your heart."

The Air Force seasoned does judge that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has made advancement helping those who served but said that lone astir 50% of our nation's 17.5 cardinal veterans are enrolled successful the VA. 

Volunteers service up plates filled with each the accepted Thanksgiving nutrient astatine the Long Beach Rescue Mission successful Long Beach, California, connected Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023. (Brittany Murray/MediaNews Group/Long Beach Press-Telegram via Getty Images)

The National Library of Medicine besides found that veterans struggling with nutrient insecurity are astir 4 times much apt to woody with suicidal ideation than their much financially unchangeable counterparts. The aforesaid veterans struggling to enactment nutrient connected the array whitethorn besides beryllium impacted by modulation challenges, constricted occupation opportunities, insufficient modulation acquisition and difficulties applying subject skills to civilian roles.

Despite each that, Lorraine inactive stands by serving successful the U.S. military.

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"I deliberation the subject is simply a large mode to spell forward," helium said for young radical who don't person higher acquisition opportunities. "Join the military. It changed my life."

AWP conscionable celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and the nonprofit has helped astir 61,000 veterans nationwide implicit those years. For much accusation astir the resources it provides, click here.