The COVID-19 pandemic is greatly impacting our country.  A public health crisis led to an economic crisis and unemployment skyrocketed. Americans are adjusting their lifestyles to fit the “new normal” by wearing masks, protective gloves, and practicing social distancing where people are encouraged to stand at least six feet apart.  While it’s an unprecedented time in our history — there is also good that is borne by necessity when we face adversity.

“In this uncertain time with both the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest in our nation, we have to do everything in our power to help Veterans in need,” said Carl Vinson VA Medical Center Director David L. Whitmer, FACHE. “When Keith Griffin shared his vision with me, I was enthusiastic since its consistent with our mission to support Veterans.”

Carl Vinson VA Medical Center Chief of Voluntary Service, Keith Griffin, is an active member of the Dublin and surrounding communities located in Middle Georgia and discovered Middle Georgia Community Food Banks (MGCFB). This organization provided hundreds of boxes of food to people in need at an event Griffin came across—and he had a brilliant idea.

Griffin talked to MGCFB leadership about a possible partnership where the MGCFB would provide pallets of food and the event would be hosted at Dublin VAMC where food would be distributed in boxes to Veterans. MGCFB leadership embraced the idea and Griffin began planning the event and requesting logistical support.

A cold front moved into Middle Georgia July 29 and it brought overcast skies providing a bit of relief to the approximately 50 Carl Vinson VA Medical Center employees and volunteers from several organizations who showed up to serve America’s heroes from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Fortunately, the rain held off and more than 270 Veterans received a box of food and other items.

“We had a great turnout and started a little before 11 a.m. because we had many Veterans show up early,” said U.S. Air Force Veteran and Chief of Voluntary Service Keith Griffin. “It’s a great partnership whenever Dublin VAMC can work with local businesses, organizations, and volunteers to help our Veterans—it is awesome!”

Dublin VAMC police setup traffic control points to guide Veterans to the distribution site. When they arrived, volunteers checked Veterans’ identification and had them fill out a short form for the food bank’s records. As Veterans drove to the distribution site, they were instructed to stay in their car as a preventative measure to minimize possible exposure to COVID-19. They popped their trunks or had volunteers place food in the back seat if the trunk was full. 

Employees and volunteers wore facemasks and developed an effective system where they maintained social distancing while assembling boxes containing items such as fresh fruits and vegetables, bread, chicken, beef, canned goods, Girl Scout Cookies, rice, macaroni and cheese, and a gallon of milk. 

“When you have many Veterans who are out of work, food, and money, times can get desperate quickly,” said U.S. Army Vietnam Veteran and Volunteer Extraordinaire Gus Allbritton, who has more than 30,000 hours of volunteer time at Dublin VAMC. “Being able to help these Veterans who need the bare necessities to live and put food on the table is what it’s all about. In the service you must look out for one another, and that responsibility doesn’t end after you take off the uniform.”

Maya Angelou once said, “When we give cheerfully and accept gracefully, everyone is blessed.” Those Veterans who received food were grateful and appreciative. The Dublin VAMC employees and volunteers felt an intrinsic value that can only be experienced when helping a fellow human being in need. It’s fair to say everyone left fulfilled.