American Legion Post Helps Veterans with Food Cards and Support
American Legion Post 11 members Jerry and Bernice Renner distributed $50 food gift cards to local veterans, their spouses, widows, and families to ease financial strain. The cards were provided through a Veterans Trust Fund grant administered by the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs, offering practical relief as costs rise across Las Animas County.
Members of American Legion Post 11 mobilized in early November to provide immediate relief to local veterans facing increasing economic pressure. Between November 3 through 5, Post 11 volunteers distributed $50 food gift cards to veterans, their spouses, widows, and dependent family members using funds from the Veterans Trust Fund, a state administered program managed by the Colorado Division of Veterans Affairs.
The small cash value of each card belied its importance in a rural community where transportation costs, utility bills, and heating needs can quickly consume limited budgets. Post 11 organizers said the Veterans Trust Fund covers a range of short term needs, including food, gas, rent, vehicle repairs, mortgage and utility payments, and firewood during colder months. That flexibility allows local groups to target the most pressing gaps for households that might otherwise slip through safety nets.
Local volunteers led the outreach and distribution, working out of the American Legion office at Fort Wootton. Veterans and spouses who were unable to pick up a card during the distribution dates were invited to contact the office for assistance. The outreach reflects a broader pattern in Las Animas County where community based organizations supplement formal services to meet urgent needs among older adults and rural families.
The distributions highlight both the strengths and limits of existing support systems. While the Veterans Trust Fund provides valuable one time assistance, ongoing economic pressures in this region underline the need for continued coordination between state agencies, local veterans groups, and social services. For many recipients the gift cards offered breathing room to buy groceries or pay for a tank of gas, expenses that are rising for households across the county.
As winter approaches, the role of volunteers and targeted grant programs will remain central to keeping veterans and their families stable. Local leaders say continuing outreach and easy access to programs like the Veterans Trust Fund are critical to ensuring that those who served are not left struggling in a county with limited resources.
