While Nov. 11 provides a day to honor military veterans who serve or have served the nation, one local program offers them support and recognition year-round.
While Nov. 11 provides a day to honor military veterans who serve or have served the nation, one local program offers them support and recognition year-round.
The Geauga County Veteran Food Pantry, at 13211 Aquilla Road, Suite B, in Chardon, welcomes honorably discharged Geauga County veterans, dependents and active-duty military men and women who register with the Geauga County Veterans Services.
The pantry — open from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every Friday for registered veterans — provides pastries, breads, cheese, beef, chicken, fresh fruits and vegetables, canned and boxed goods, and a small personal-care section.
In addition, donuts are donated weekly from Maggie’s Doughnuts and served with lots of coffee and conversation. The pantry also hosts one luncheon a month upstairs.
On Oct. 25, a volunteer dished out a lot more than homemade potato soup, fresh cornbread and apple crisp.
“This (all-volunteer-run) pantry is unique in the state of Ohio and, possibly, the country,” said GCVFP Director and Founder Lynn Algeri. “In addition to food, we also provide our veterans with a social component. This could only happen in a county like Geauga, where veterans are respected and their service is honored.”
The GCVFP has been around since 2008, starting when Algeri’s own daughter deployed to Iraq for the first time.
“We began with two veterans and one box of bread,” Algeri said. “We have only closed four times in 16 years.”
Just as prices have risen on almost everything due to inflation, so have the numbers of veterans seeking the pantry’s help.
Algeri said their numbers are always going up.
They currently roster about 100 veterans, but also provide food for their families and dependents.
“In a typical month, we provide enough food for our pantry participants to prepare 4,000-plus meals,” Algeri said.
In addition to providing supplemental food for registered participants, the pantry offers home deliveries by calling and taking registered veterans’ orders and dropping them off on Fridays.
Rich and his wife, Lori, of Middlefield, are both U.S. Army veterans who take advantage of the pantry.
“GCVFP is an asset to all Geauga County veterans,” said Rich, who asked for his last name not to be used. “To me, it’s a very special place. Even as a supplementary pantry, it saves a huge amount of money each week. The coffee and donuts upstairs is the only socializing some of these veterans get all week. These are men and women that served and fought so others can choose to donate or not.”
Visiting the pantry weekly and talking to everyone is uplifting, he said.
A Korean War veteran named Harry, who also requested his last name be withheld, was one of the oldest veterans at the pantry that afternoon.
He drives himself and said he really enjoys coming to talk to everyone, especially after his wife died.
The only unwritten luncheon rule is “don’t talk about politics.”
A few tables over sipping coffee sat Auburn Township’s Jim Boyd, a Vietnam veteran, who popped in and chatted with others to see what he could do to help the pantry, taking home a list of current needs in an envelope.
Boyd said he’s been helping veterans his whole life.
“People don’t realize the effects (war) has on our lives,” Boyd said.
The retired railroad conductor, husband, father and grandfather is now 100% permanently and totally disabled.
“Having recently visited (the pantry) for the first time, I was impressed by the use of the available space,” Boyd said. “I was able to witness first-hand the care and concern with which they went about their obvious mission. The pantry fills an invisible need.
“Many veterans are dependent on additional resources due to being on fixed incomes. It’s hard to stay abreast of price increases,” he added. “Being able to eat is one of the basic needs. This pantry is a big help to those in need, glaring need.”
With the holidays approaching, Algeri said any monetary or food donations would help.
A list of current needs is on the GCVFP website.
“Please remember, we do not accept expired, short-dated or food from salvage stores,” Algeri said. “We do not accept any clothing except new, in-package socks. For the holidays, think outside the box. If there is a certain item that brings memories of the holidays (like fruitcake for example), think about sending it in. You never know what will bring a smile to someone’s face.
“Thank you to everyone who supports this pantry,” she added. “We would not live in such a great country, with all of the freedoms we enjoy, if it were not for the sacrifices that our veterans made and continue to make.”
To register to become a pantry participant, call VSO at 440-279-1860. For more information on how to donate, call 440-901-4030 or visit geaugacountyveteranfoodpantry.com.
