The “Safety First” First Aid Kit Initiative is a Papa’s Purple Heart project focused on protecting the health and safety of veterans and their families before emergencies happen. Many of the veterans we serve are living on fixed incomes or facing health challenges, and basic safety items like quality first aid supplies are often out of reach. This project will allow us to purchase and distribute free, fully stocked first aid kits to veterans, military families, and surviving spouses in our community.
These kits are more than bandages and gauze—they are a practical way to say, “Your safety matters, and you are not forgotten.”
First aid kits will be distributed through our existing programs and outreach, including:
1. Veterans Food Pantry days
2. Community outreach events and holiday support efforts
3. Special distributions for families with children or caregivers
4. Homebound or mobility-limited veterans where possible
Each kit will be thoughtfully assembled with everyday essentials such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze pads, adhesive tape, basic ointment, gloves, and other core supplies that can help treat minor injuries at home or on the go. For veterans who spend a lot of time driving or working, these kits can also be stored in vehicles, providing peace of mind on the road.
Our goals for this project are to:
1. Increase safety and preparedness for veterans and their families in our service area
Reduce barriers for low-income or fixed-income households who cannot easily purchase first aid supplies
2. Promote health awareness, encouraging families to care for small injuries early and avoid them becoming more serious
3. Strengthen connection with veterans by pairing kit distribution with information about our other services and mental health resources
Each first aid kit becomes a touchpoint for relationship, care, and support. When we hand a veteran a kit, we also have the opportunity to check in, listen, and share information about food support, emergency assistance, and emotional wellness resources.
Your donation to the “Safety First” Initiative helps us:
Purchase quality, pre-assembled first aid kits or bulk supplies to assemble our own
Provide a consistent stock of kits for distribution at pantry days and outreach events
Extend our impact beyond food support into health, safety, and overall well-being
Even small gifts go a long way. A donation of $25 can help cover the cost of one kit. $50–$75 can support multiple kits for a veteran raising children or caring for grandchildren. Larger gifts can underwrite entire distribution events.
Together, we can make sure veterans and their families are not only fed, but also safer, better prepared, and reminded that their lives are important to this community.
