‘We know their struggles’: Local nonprofit aims to increase transportation options, mobile food distributions for veterans

ORLANDO, Fla. — Most people are ready to put 2020 behind us, including many local organizations.

Channel 9 talked to a local nonprofit that is working on its plans to help local veterans in the new year.

Amy Palmer is a U.S. Air Force veteran who also happens to be the Chief Executive Officer of Soldiers’ Angels.

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With the pandemic ongoing, Palmer and her team are focusing on the future and moving toward the new year.

“We think the transportation is critically important right now because of the public transportation limitations because of the risk factors for a lot of veterans,” she said.

Palmer said the organization is going through the legal approval process in Orlando for transportation and food programs for local veterans.

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“We’ve had veterans actually miss chemo because of transportation and that’s really, really hard,” Palmer said.

The goal is to increase transportation options to help local veterans get to their medical appointments without a COVID-19 risk or worry.

The mobile food distributions won’t stop, either.

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In fact, Palmer said their registration for food pickup usually fills up in eight to 10 minutes, and that it’s moving faster than ever.

The team also plans to up their food gift card and voucher options, allowing the veterans to get a warm meal within the Veterans Affairs hospital cafeteria.

“We know their struggles and it’s really important that we serve them their needs but also thank them for their service, which is just as important,” Palmer said.

Cox Media Group