MILFORD — At the end of last month, photos posted to social media accused the Home of the Brave veteran’s shelter of destroying donations intended for homeless veterans based upon the facility’s failure of certain inspections.
Several sources online and via email said the facility failed something called a “VA Fire Inspection,” presumably conducted by the federal veterans’ agency, and resulted in the shelter being ordered to clear the donation shed.
Photos of a dumpster filled to overflowing accompanied the accusations.
Home of the Brave Board President Greg Fuller confirms the dumpster was there as part of routine cleaning and disposal of accumulated items.
“We would never throw away stuff that’s good,” Mr. Fuller said. “I wouldn’t take this stuff, so I’m not going to give it to someone else.”
While the images took off halfway around the world, the Freedom of Information Act requests intended to clear up the matter took a little longer to get its pants on.
“The Wilmington VA performs annual Life Safety Inspections with the Home of the Brave which includes some fire safety elements,” Valerie Harwood, public affairs officer for the Wilmington Veterans Affairs Medical Center said.
Ms. Harwood confirms Home of the Brave passed its most recent inspection including these elements in Dec. 2023.
“During the most recent inspection, in December 2023, Home of the Brave was found in compliance and is scheduled for their next inspection by December 2024,” she said.
As for any other inspections the shelter may be subject to, Ms. Harwood referred inquiry back to Home of the Brave.
But first, the Delaware State Fire Marshal’s Office, via Brian Schad, chief deputy state fire marshal.
“At this time, there are no incidents, spills or hazardous material reports on file for the property listed above through this office,” Mr. Schad confirms.
The address provided was 6632 Sharps Road in Milford, the address listed as Home of the Brave.
“I’m continuing to revamp policies and procedures,” Mr. Fuller said, adding the effort was in keeping with what he had been doing since he first started with the shelter.
During this time, donations in the shed had begun to accumulate, and some outdated canned items were discovered.
Mr. Fuller also said there was evidence of rodents in the shed.
Based on the situation, Mr. Fuller said another board member arranged for a dumpster to be placed on site and the shed cleared. During the clearing, Mr. Fuller said the shelter would change some of its policies regarding donations moving forward, such as no longer in “the clothing business.”
Mr. Fuller said future clothing donations would be taken to AmVets, another nonprofit dedicated to serving veterans.
“We will still be taking appliances, soap, cleaning products, detergents and paper products,” Mr. Fuller said. “But I want to stress every decision here is made by the board, including getting the dumpster.”
Staff writer Brian Gilliland can be reached at 410-603-3737 or bg@iniusa.org.
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