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Dear Friends in Christ,
I would like to talk to you about an underserved population in our Diocese and nationwide, our military veterans.
The numbers represent a staggering reality. Twenty-two veterans commit suicide every day. More than half of them are under the age of 50. Over a million veterans are on food stamps and the risk of food insecurity among veterans ages 18-64 is significantly higher than the general population. Over ten percent of unhoused neighbors are veterans. This group needs our continued love and support.
Building Bridges is an organization dedicated to serving those men and women. Human to Human supports several organizations. Building Bridges is a big part of Human to Human.
We started Building Bridges shortly after I was ordained as your Bishop. I am so grateful our program, originated and still led by the Rev. Chris Carlisle, has blossomed into more than fifteen sites across the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts and throughout the Commonwealth. This could not have happened without your help.
I am happy to tell you that as of this writing, Building Bridges is poised to serve its 150,000 complementary meal to veterans. Our participants range in age, in branch of service and length of service. Some have seen battle and others have served in peacetime. There is Admiral David Stinson who is a champion of our Keene, NH site and Dan Gagne, an army veteran who graces our gathering at Church of the Reconciliation in Webster, MA. Like all our vets, they come as much for the community, camaraderie and the chance to talk together about their service, as much as for the meal.
Building Bridges locations also serve as a venue for other nonprofits to connect with our local veterans and make available their services including healthcare, banking, and even footcare.
The sites are as different as the veterans who attend them. Our committed volunteers who serve them remind our veterans that we are in this together. All the while, the mission remains the same: to ensure their care and serve them, as they protected and served us.
I am asking for your help today. Our meals cost a very reasonable $5.00 on average. Will you consider providing a “package” of meals?
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