County Veterans Office Hosts Christmas Food Drive for Local Veterans

The Jim Wells County Veterans Office is holding a drive through food distribution Saturday, Dec. 13, from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. at the old bank building at the corner of North Cameron and East Main Street. Organizers say the event is intended to provide extra holiday food assistance to veterans who may be struggling as costs rise.

Daniel Salinas, the county veterans officer and a Marine, says his office assists about 200 veterans each month with a range of needs. He described the Christmas drive as targeted relief to help veterans cover higher expenses this season, and said he will prepare as many baskets as resources allow. Donations of cash, food, and gift cards are being accepted through Monday, Dec. 22.

The drive through is being organized in the context of broader national and local need. The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities reports that more than one million veterans nationwide receive SNAP benefits, a measure of food insecurity among former service members. Locally, Salinas said demand for assistance has remained steady, and the holiday distribution is meant to reach veterans who might not otherwise get extra help this time of year.

Retired soldier Abelardo Ortiz, who was drafted into the Army in his early 20s and trained at Fort Bliss, volunteered perspective from fellow veterans about the need. "Well, I wasn't happy but I said 'hey, this is my opportunity to serve the country. So, I went to Fort Bliss for basic training," Ortiz recalled. He noted that friends and fellow veterans have faced hardship since leaving service. "We've lost a lot of veterans that I knew. So, I'm sure they're out there. You know, they don't have enough much," Ortiz said.

For community members seeking to help, the county office is accepting donations at its collection points until Dec. 22. Organizers emphasize that every contribution, whether a food donation, a gift card, or cash, will directly support local veterans and families in need. The event is designed to be accessible through a drive through distribution to reduce barriers for recipients and to maximize the number of households served during the holiday period.