Patriots and Paws
PROGRAMS
Provisions for Patriots
Our Provisions for Patriots Program is on-going and each year continues to grow as more become aware of what we do. Often time those that served in our military face financial needs and find it hard to ask for help. They will do without rather than reach out. Because we serve ALL Veterans, Active Duty and Reservist regardless of discharge, rank or finances, we are able to give them dignity because they pick out the items they want. They are welcomed and shown no judgement to why they need items. They are treated with respect when they come in and throughout the whole process. With our help they are able to use their finances for other items like food, utilities, medical appointments, car repairs, or other items. With such struggles like food insecurity, having your home needs meet, they can now focus on those struggles. It can be as simple as kitchenware or a full apartment including couches, dining room tables, beds, linens, end tables, coffee tables, etc. This gives them some dignity back and gets them off the floors. Since most of those we help are formally homeless, they don't have access to these items. Provisions for Patriots also supplies bikes, helmets, and other items to support military families which are often single parent households. Also, Patriots and Paws encourages clients to use its "Leave Your Burdens Behind" wall where veterans and loved ones can write out their fears and worries and see that others have done the same. This allows the Veteran a chance to experience a moment of peace so they can lean on this feeling as they return home. For the past 9 years we have provided what we call "Turkey Dinner Bags" which consist of traditional Thanksgiving items and then a gift card for the perishables. In the past 2 years, a donor as provided a box of fresh organic fall produce to go along with these bags. We send out an email to our list of all those that we have served to let them know and we are able to help the first 250 that respond.
In the long term our success would be all Veterans/active Military would have furnishings for their homes and increased wellbeing. Daily we change lives by providing basic home furnishings for our Veterans/active Military and their families. Those that we have helped are no longer sleeping on the floor they are sleeping in beds. They now have tables to sit at and enjoy a meal. When guests come over they can now offer them a place to sit. All the basics of a home. Dishes to eat out of, pots and pans to cook in. When Veterans, Active Duty, and Reservists are at the warehouse, they are encouraged to set down their worries by taking part in the "Leave Your Burdens Behind" wall. Here they have the chance to gather their thoughts, pick up a sharpie, write their worries onto our self-made wall of pallets, and experience support that they can recall later when times are hard.
CONTACT
Patriots and PawsPhone: 714-323-7229