Houston VA helps restock Veteran food pantries after power outage

More than 1,000 Veterans lined up in the pouring rain to restock their pantries and receive much needed food and assistance at a special event at the Michael E. DeBakey VA. 

Houston VA teamed up with Combined Arms and the Houston Food Bank to host Operation Restock, an event aimed specifically at helping Veterans and their families restock their pantries and refrigerators after widespread power outages and storm damage caused by Hurricane Beryl.

“We are thrilled to be out here providing extra support to Veterans affected by the hurricane,” said Quindola Crowley, chief of social work and an Army Veteran, as she loaded up a Veteran’s car with bananas and watermelon. “In the military, we used to say, “no comrade left behind,” and today is our way of reinforcing that with our Veterans. At VA, it is our honor and privilege to care for them however we can.”

Crowley wasn’t the only VA employee volunteering her time at Operation Restock. More than 30 VA social workers, nurses and other staff were happy to participate. Houston VA Regional Office staff, including Director Robert Worley, were also on-site to help ensure the event went smoothly.

“Nothing more important than making sure my fellow Veterans are okay.”

“I’m a Veteran and there is nothing more important to me than making sure my fellow Veterans are okay,” said Valerie Williams, longtime medical center employee who served as the volunteer coordinator at Operation Restock. “It’s great to see so many VA staff out here volunteering along with active duty military and other Veterans service organizations. We are all in this together here in Houston.”

Food insecurity, the inability to secure enough food to maintain health, can involve relying on cheap, unhealthy food. VA has been screening for food insecurity since 2017 with data showing that post-9/11 Veterans seem to be at a higher risk for being food insecure, followed by women Veterans.

John Smith, Combined Arms regional manager and Marine Corps Veteran, agreed. “The collaboration that made this event happen exemplifies the power of community and the importance of providing a helping hand to those who have served their country. I know that Veterans often have a hard time asking for help and tend to put themselves last. Our goal was to offer them a hand-up, not a hand-out.”

As cars filled with proud Veterans lined up outside the VA medical center as far as the eye could see for the event, Houston VA staff remained resolute in its commitment to care for Veterans. 

Associate Director for Patient Care Services Kelly Irving said, “We want our Veterans to know that our VA is here for them in every way.”