Donations Needed for Homeless Veterans

The Volunteer Center will be partnering with the Bergen County Division of Veterans Services in assisting homeless veterans in the area.  

According to Richard Daul, director of Veterans Service, about one third of the adult homeless population are veterans. Although perfect counts are impossible to come by—the transient nature of homeless populations presents a major difficulty—it is estimated that over 100 veterans are homeless on any given night in Bergen County, and over the course of a year, approximately twice that many can experience homelessness.

In addition to the complex set of factors influencing all homelessness—extreme shortage of affordable housing, livable income and access to health care—a large number of displaced and at-risk veterans live with lingering effects of post-traumatic stress disorder and substance abuse, which are compounded by a lack of family and social support networks.

Donations of backpacks, toiletry kits (toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, soap, comb/brush, razor, shaving cream, small bag to hold items and a set of towels), sweatshirts  sizes large and extra large, and gift cards to Walmart, Shop Rite, McDonald’s, Subway,  and Pizza Hut are needed.

Donors can drop off these items at the Volunteer Center’s offices, 64 Passaic Street in Hackensack, during the week of January 9 to 13, from 9am to 4pm, with evening hours till 7pm on Thursday; and from 9am to 12pm on Saturday, January 14.  

Call 201-489-9454 for more information. Monetary donations that will be used to obtain needed items for the homeless veterans can be made by visiting Bergen Volunteers online and clicking on MLK Day of Service.

This drive is part of a national campaign associated with the MLK Day of Service to assist veterans.