Military Matters: Salvation Army offers free housing, meals for veterans

The Salvation Army of Colorado Springs is helping veterans and their families by offering free housing and meals.

We all know the military is full of heroes who have helped us, but now the Salvation Army and the Department of Veterans Affairs are teaming up to help them.

“We just received a grant from the veterans administration to house 22 vets in 11 apartments,” said Capt. Erin Kauffman with the Salvation Army.

The program is called New Beginnings and it allows veterans to live in the apartments near Platte and Circle for up to two years while they assimilate into civilian life. It’s all made possible thanks to a $350,000 grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

The apartments have both one and two bedrooms, depending on the size of the family. The community has already donated couches, beds, and tables, but they still need bed sheets and kitchen utensils.

“We need pots, pans, we need plates, silverware,” said Capt. Kauffman.

And besides a place to live, the veterans also get free lunch and dinner, free transportation and workforce training.

Brenda Richardson is a volunteer at the Salvation Army and has seen the benefits of programs like this first hand.

“To be able to reach out like that warms my heart, to be here and be a part of what’s going on,” Richardson said.

And she’s not alone, Toby Ferrar is also excited to know his community is welcoming veterans and helping them stay on their feet.

“Yeah I think it will give them a place to go to instead of carry out missions on the corner and give them a place to be,” Ferrar said.

To qualify for the program, the Salvation Army will take nominations from local organizations. They hope to have all apartments furnished and filled by October 1st.

To donate supplies or time to this project, you can visit the Salvation Army in Colorado Springs.