Blue Star Families supports veterans in the Miami Valley and beyond

DAYTON, Ohio ( WDTN ) –Veteran families in Ohio are increasingly facing health and food insecurity issues.

In 2023, about 1 in 4 veteran families were reporting food insecurity. Around 16% said they go to food banks for assistance.

That number is down slightly in 2024, according to leaders with Blue Star Families of Dayton and Southwestern Ohio.

“It told me, Wow, Jerry, you’re really making a difference. You and your you and your team here are making a difference. And and, you know, that’s that’s what our chapters do. Not just my chapter, but it’s chapters across the country,” said Geri Lynn Maples, chapter director.

When individuals reach out for help, Blue Star Families says they are there to listen and connect them to resources. Their goal is to address food insecurity, but not just that.

“Anything from spouse unemployment to food insecurity to housing needs. Access to health care,” said Maples.

Each year, the organization surveys families to see where their needs are not being met, sharing the findings on local and national levels.

“It gives them a voice to let them let us know what their what their life is like at any given moment. And so that’s really important because it gives them it gives them a voice to really give us a view inside what their life is like,” said Maples.

The Department of Veteran Affairs says Blue Star Families works hand in hand with them to provide the best care and support for its veterans.

“And when people ask us, we need to come and answer that call because we’re really shaping the way that people care for and support veterans in the future, you know, beyond us,” said Tiffany Knight Wells, chief of center development at VA.

“Those wraparound services almost wrapping around like a hug for our veterans.”

The local chapter is currently collecting data from veteran families through its survey, which can be accessed online .

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