Cape Girardeau VFW Post 3838 delivers care packages to homeless veterans in Poplar Bluff
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. (KBSI) — Members of the Cape Girardeau VFW Auxiliary are helping homeless veterans in southeast Missouri by delivering care packages filled with essential supplies to the Poplar Bluff VA Hospital.
The project began after auxiliary members learned the Poplar Bluff VA serves veterans participating in a temporary housing program for veterans experiencing homelessness. Before organizing the donation, the group contacted its local VA clinic and was told those types of supplies would have the greatest impact in Poplar Bluff.
“We first contacted locals here. We contacted our VA clinic to see if they needed any help with these supplies before we took them to out of our location, and they said no,” said Tammy Kunkel, junior vice president of VFW Post 3838 Auxiliary. “Anytime they get those type of items, toiletries and that they sent them to Poplar Bluff to the VA hospital.”
Each backpack includes more than 20 items designed to meet everyday needs, including a reusable water bottle, sunscreen, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, deodorant, a first aid kit, a toothbrush and toothpaste, sunglasses, a flashlight, a travel pillow, playing cards and other personal care items.
The auxiliary also collected bulk donations including socks, wet wipes, magazines, puzzles, hard candy and about 1,000 adult diapers for veterans receiving services through the hospital.
Kunkel said members tried to think beyond basic necessities when assembling the bags, choosing items they believed would provide both comfort and practicality.
“What do homeless veterans really? What do they need? What do they want? So we had extra things too, because our minds got to thinking, well, if we were homeless, what would we want? We want a hat to cover our head. You know, from the sun,” Kunkle said. “We have sunglasses in there. If you’re just laying around and you don’t have a place to put your head down at night. How about a pillow? So we collected a hundred collapsible pillows. We collected 100 decks of cards.”
Members say they hope every backpack sends a simple message to the veterans who receive them—that their service is appreciated and they have not been forgotten.
“We have those VFW and Auxiliary bags, and we just want to let them know we’re always here, we’re always thinking about them and we just want to help,” Kunkel said.
Kunkel said staff at the Poplar Bluff VA Hospital were both appreciative and surprised by the number of donations the auxiliary collected.
The VFW Auxiliary is already looking for additional ways to support veterans, with future projects expected to focus on meeting other needs throughout the year.
