Volunteers of America Michigan

Michigan Veterans Food Security Project (VFSP)

This NFL-BWF Healthy Lifestyles and Creating Community (HLCC) award will enable Volunteers of America Michigan to improve the stability of 340 low-income veteran and military households. VOA Michigan will provide case management; healthcare navigation and assistance; food; and connections to permanent food resources and permanent housing.

Volunteers of America Michigan (VOAMI) addresses the needs of veterans and their families through their Grant Per Diem (GPD), Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF), Suicide Prevention Engagement and Referral for Veterans (SERV) and Homeless Veteran Reintegration Program (HVRP) programs. The organization also provides case management, connection to housing, and skills development for employment. VOAMI addresses poverty as a root cause of food insecurity by offering programming focused on veteran homelessness and homeless prevention, health and wellness, benefit assistance, workforce development and life skills. Their Detroit kitchen offers daily meals, through which they engage community members who may benefit from additional VOA services. With this funding, VOAMI’s Michigan Veterans Food Security Project (VFSP) will provide access to emergency food resources and case management as a bridge to sustainable, nutritious food access, as well as closing the federal funding gap for their veteran GPD beds.