Minnesota Legislature to Decide on Future of Meals for Veterans Program

Meals for Veterans has helped connect 278 Twin Cities veterans with nutritious meals since its introduction in 2023. The Minnesota Legislature will soon decide whether to allocate funding to continue this program beyond June 30.

The House Veterans and Military Affairs Division heard the bill Wednesday, April 2, and it will be laid over for inclusion in the Veterans Affairs omnibus budget bill, meaning the House and Senate will jointly consider whether to continue the program in the coming weeks. You can learn more in KARE 11 thiab Fox 9 stories on the issue, which included a visit with Vietnam Veteran Carter Drake, who receives meals through the program via Community Emergency Assistance Programs (CEAP).

Twin Cities Meals on Wheels programs are serving 60% more meals than they did five years ago. Meals for Veterans serves veterans who don’t qualify for other forms of financial assistance for meals, many of whom are at risk of homelessness and social isolation.

“Honestly, I don’t know how I would get by without those meals,” said John Ball, a 73-year-old Vietnam Veteran in Anoka who submitted testimony for the hearing. “It was in Vietnam where I came in contact with Agent Orange. I have several debilitating diseases from that experience. It is no longer an easy task to do sustained grocery trips.”

How You Can Help

Tell your state senator and state representative to support the Meals for Veterans program (HF3005). Saib seb leej twg sawv cev rau koj ntawm no.