NORTH WEST MONTANA VETERANS STAND DOWN

In 2019,we received a total of 224,218 pounds of nutritional food for our veterans and their immediate families. Our local community gave 199,602 pounds of food. A total of 2,134 veteran households, representing 3,891 individuals, received 155,721 pounds of food. We take into consideration their sometimes limited cooking facilities and dietary needs. We provided 246 holiday boxes to each qualifying family, along with a trip to “Santa’s Workshop” for presents. Over 321 children were helped this year .
The other services we offer are Showers and Laundry facilities, Monthly Haircuts, Access to the Internet and Peer Counseling, Community Referrals for local services and Medical Equipment loans.

While some of these services are geared to our Homeless Veterans many who do not fit into this category are offered other services and referrals to our local community.

The Veterans Clothing & More Store is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Monday thru Friday from 10:00am - 4:30pm with the proceeds going to support our mission. We offer friendly service and quality merchandise at community prices.
Although we do request a monetary donation, we work with our clients on an individual basis to meet their needs. Through the generosity of community donations we have been able to outfit thousands of men, women and children of all ages with clothing, footwear, blankets, household items and furniture.

We administer a multi-faceted program designed to accommodate each client’s unique circumstances. Our mission is to offer wraparound services to our qualifying veterans through the many aspects of our organization which include:

• Raising community awareness to and advocating for the unmet needs of veterans.
• Nourishing hungry veterans and their families with nutritional food boxes.
• Equipping homeless and newly housed veteran households with clothing and furnishings. We also offer a “one to wear and one to wash” clothing allotment 2 times a year to qualifying veterans.
• Outreaching as many veterans as possible through our annual Stand Downs.
• Helping clients obtain Veterans Affair benefits and medical system enrollment. Veterans advocate is available to help with filing claims and enrollment in VA benefits.
• Providing veteran to veteran peer counseling and referrals to homeless shelters, housing, jobs, VA medical clinics, mental health specialists and other community resources.
• We are a host agency for Experience Works and Work Experience programs and a Community Service Volunteer agency. We also provide on the job training through our volunteer work force.
• Building self-esteem by extending a helping hand up NOT a hand out; we provide a warm welcome, haircuts monthly, access to internet, access to laundry & shower facilities and hot coffee.
• Our Thrift Store “Veterans Clothing & More Store” is geared to supporting our community by offering good quality clothing and furniture at low prices.
• The Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Loan Program offered by Northwest Montana Veterans Stand Down and Food Pantry serves to provide low-income, at-risk individuals with medical equipment free of charge. Qualifying homeless veterans are equipped biannually with seasonally appropriate One (Outfit) to Wash/One (Outfit) to Wear and offered access to shower and laundry facilities.

We also offer "move in" assistance to our newly housed Veterans. This includes the basic essentials and some furniture. We also try to make sure they have a bed and bedding. New Quilts that are donated by local churches in the Valley are given to the head of household to help them make a home.