CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Coastal Bend veterans have an extra opportunity to put food on the table this week.
A drive-thru food distribution will happen at the Corpus Christi West Point Veterans Affairs Clinic on Thursday at 8:30 a.m.
The drive-thru is thanks to a partnership between VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Healthcare System and the Coastal Bend Food Bank. All local veterans are encouraged to attend.
The distribution event will last until they run out of supplies.
Public affairs officer for the VA Texas Valley Coastal Bend Healthcare System Hugo Martinez said the lines usually get long after people arrive early.
"We're trying to address food insecurities among the veteran population, and we need the help," Martinez said. "We couldn't do it by ourselves."
Martinez said to qualify to get food from the drive-thru, veterans need to be enrolled in their healthcare system and bring a valid VA identification card. VA staff and community volunteers will help distribute food at the West Point VA Clinic.
He said nutrition is important for the overall well-being of veterans.
"We're having more veterans that are trusting us; that are trusting us with the care that we deliver to them, and not just the healthcare, but the additional service, such as these food drives," Martinez said.
He said these food drives happen every three months and they serve an average of 220-250 families.
Food that will be distributed on Thursday is courtesy of the Coastal Bend Food Bank. Bea Hanson, Coastal Bend Food Bank executive director, said they have worked with the VA healthcare system for several years and veterans will receive fresh fruits and vegetables and canned and dried goods.
"They are also going to get a protein to complete their diets," Hanson said. "So, that's the whole idea that now we are able to look at it in a more holistic form."
The food bank now operates out of a 108,000 square-foot facility, which Hanson said allowed them to grow and provide more food like fresh produce and milk. She said it helps them serve special populations like veterans, the elderly and children in struggling families.
"It has been our dream to be able to serve special populations in need," Hanson said. "Now, we are able to really plan for helping specific populations that we weren't able to do before."
Martinez said they are still looking for more volunteers for Thursday's drive-thru event. Anyone interested can reach out to the VA call center at 855-864-0516.
He also encourages veterans not yet enrolled in their benefits to come by and find out how to sign up.
Veterans also have another way to get some relief at the Nueces County Veterans Services office. They provide non-perishable food items, hygiene products and up to four pounds of venison per family, according to Nueces County Veterans Services Director J.J. De La Cerda. They also provide Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority bus passes for veterans and their families.
De La Cerda said people can come from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday to the CCRTA building on North Staples Street. Veterans must provide a DD214 form or veteran ID. Contact 361-888-0820 for more information.