ONTARIO âSince June 30, Ontarioâs Grocery Outlet has been bagging up groceries to help out veterans as part of its annual Independence for Hunger fundraiser. Grocery store owners, Dale and Jillian Gonzales, have not only asked the community to support their efforts, theyâve incentivized their cashiers to help with the mission of helping food supplies for Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida, which offers a pantry for veterans.
As of Tuesday morning, Charlene Pelland, with Veteran Advocates, said that the store had collected more than $6,000 in groceries and monetary contributions for the Ontario-based nonprofit that serves veterans.
Pelland said volunteers have gone over five times, filling about 100 to 150 bags each time, all of which have been paid for by donations. These volunteers include Bob Metzger, Cheryl Smit, Kay McPheeters, Lynn Haag, Jan and Phil Jacques, Billy Vance and Pelland.
Our National Guard has been used nonstop in one form or another for the last 20 years. Out there serving in Iraq, Afghanistan, the horn of Africa and who knows where else in the world, we have utilized these troops. Then they get home and are called out for the civil disturbances, called out in communities setting up vaccination spots in various locations around our nation, and also serving at the U.S. Capitol after a mob attacked it. The Guard has been going from one thing to another year after year, month after month and day after day.
Our military regulars and guardsmen and women have blurred the lines of what, when and where they serve. This makes it hard for families to plan for their future. We are experiencing those frustrations plus many others from those guardsmen and families who we come in contact with at Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida â especially when they come in for food boxes or some type of help to get them through another deployment.
Hideaway Grill (1630 3rd Avenue South in Payette). This event is for both men and women.Â
Cost for the meal and program is $12. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. and the event begins at 6 p.m.
Ron Verini, chairman of the Veteran Advocates of Ore-Ida will be sharing about veterans in our area and how people can be involved in this worthwhile endeavor. Â
Those attending will have the opportunity to honor their loved ones currently serving in the armed forces.
A former member of the Army Chorus, Ernie Scott, Payette, will perform some of his favorite music. Scott traveled with the Army Chorus throughout the United States during his time in the service.
Ron Verini: Our National Guard members and benefits — some have waited since 1966 argusobserver.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from argusobserver.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.