Veterans, their families, and area residents will have access to a variety of free services and community resources Monday, Oct. 19, as two events bring together organizations dedicated to serving Greene and Sullivan counties.

The Veterans Service Connection event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Roy Clark Building, 1351 A St. NE, behind Humphreys Park in Linton. A drive-thru mobile food pantry will be held nearby at Humphreys Park, 1300 A St. NE, beginning at 10:30 a.m.

Organized through Empowering With Passion Consulting and the Greene County Veterans Service Office in collaboration with local organizations and community partners, the events will provide opportunities for veterans and area families to receive assistance, connect with service providers and learn about available resources.

Veterans Services and Benefits Assistance

A primary focus of the Veterans Service Connection event will be connecting veterans with services and benefits available to them.

Representatives from the Greene County and Sullivan County Veterans Service Offices, along with the Department of Veterans Affairs, will be available to provide information, answer questions and help veterans navigate available resources.

Veterans who qualify may also receive assistance applying for available veterans tax credits through the local Veterans Service Offices.

The event is designed to bring services together in one convenient location while providing opportunities for veterans to connect with others who have served.

Free Health Screenings and Wellness Services

Several free health and wellness services will be available during the event, including:

Health screenings: Free A1C, cholesterol and blood pressure checks.
Vision screenings: Atwater Eye Center will offer vision screenings beginning at 11 a.m.
Mobile lung cancer screenings: A mobile screening unit will be on-site offering low-dose CT screenings. Individuals interested in receiving a screening are encouraged to obtain additional information about scheduling and eligibility.
Free haircuts: A barber will be available to provide complimentary haircuts for veterans.
Community resources: Organizations serving Greene and Sullivan counties will provide information about programs and assistance available to veterans and their families.

Lunch will be served at noon for veterans and event volunteers, courtesy of Linton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7118.

Mobile Food Pantry and Family Assistance

In conjunction with the veterans event, a mobile food pantry will be held at Humphreys Park from 10:30 a.m. to noon, or until supplies are exhausted.

The food distribution will be drive-thru only.

Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank is partnering with Empowering With Passion Consulting and other community organizations to provide the food assistance.

Tandem will also be on-site offering free diapers and car seat checks, providing additional resources for families with young children.

The mobile food pantry and family services are part of the broader effort to connect area residents with resources and assistance.

Community Partners and Volunteers

The events are supported by numerous community organizations, businesses and individuals working together to serve local residents.

Partners include Terre Haute Catholic Charities Foodbank, Meng Family Funeral Homes, the City of Linton, Tandem, Posh & Polished by Kate, Families Forever, French Financial Insurance & Realty, Stockton Township Trustee Donna Smith and Walmart.

Volunteers are also being sought to assist with the mobile food pantry distribution.

Additional Information

The Veterans Service Connection event will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, at the Roy Clark Building, 1351 A St. NE, Linton.

The drive-thru mobile food pantry will operate from 10:30 a.m. to noon, or until supplies are exhausted, at Humphreys Park, 1300 A St. NE.

For additional information, contact Wendy with Empowering With Passion Consulting at 812-798-0699 or email empoweringw.passionconsulting@gmail.com.

Veterans seeking additional information about available services may also contact the Greene County Veterans Service Office at 812-384-2031 or the Sullivan County Veterans Service Office at 812-268-5437.