As the sun set over the waterfront on Tuesday, November 25, a line of veterans and their families started growing on Hammond Street, waiting to collect free pies and grocery store gift cards from the Military Friends Foundation as part of its Hero Meals program.
The foundation is giving out over 1,000 free meals to Massachusetts veterans this Thanksgiving. Around 200 were handed out in Swampscott on Tuesday. The Military Friends Foundation first partnered with Swampscott Veteran’s Services in 2018.
“There is no better time than Thanksgiving to provide meals to veterans,” said Executive Director Sarah Sweeney.
Sweeney said the Hero Meals program is all about recognizing sacrifice made by those who have served in the armed forces.
Sweeney said her favorite part of the evening was witnessing two veterans see each other and connect for the first time since they were in boot camp together over three decades ago.
“It’s such a tight-knit community,” said Sweeney. “The program can be a reunion, and we’re excited it is bringing people together.”
The day after the event, on Wednesday, Sweeney continued her food deliveries, by driving around and handing out pies and gift cards to additional veterans.
“It’s a wonderful feeling to give back,” said Sweeney. “It’s wonderful to connect with people.”
Sweeney said that about 30% of active duty service members receive food benefits.
According to the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities, 21,000 veterans in Massachusetts are enrolled in the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP). This equates to about one in ten veterans in Massachusetts receiving the aid.
Veterans are often vulnerable to food insecurity, or the lack of access to sufficient amounts and quality of food. The US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey from 2021 to 2023 suggests that 1.2 million veterans nationwide live in households that participate in SNAP. The Department of Agriculture reports that veterans were 7% more likely than non-veterans to experience food insecurity, after controlling for socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, from 2015 to 2019. In addition, veterans with a disability, who were unemployed, or those with lower educational attainment faced a greater risk of food insecurity.
“For military families, their sacrifice includes insecurities,” Sweeney said. “We have an obligation to take action and to address this crisis.”
The foundation offers a monthly Hero Meals program. Before new entrants to the military depart for boot camp, they receive a “final meal” from the Swampscott-based foundation.
“Thanks to generous donors we are able to provide thousands of meals,” said Sweeney, noting that the foundation operates entirely through private donations.
The overall message of the Military Friends Foundation, Sweeney said, is a simple one: “Thank you.”
