Now through Thursday, November 7th, the public can donate much-needed items to fill backpacks for homeless military veterans who are staying temporarily at the Siena/Francis House. Items can be dropped off at Bellevue University’s Military Veteran Services Center at 2108 Harvell Drive in Bellevue or at the Siena/Francis House at 1701 Nicholas Street in Omaha.
According to Heather Carroll, Manager of the Military Veteran Services Center, the backpack drive is sponsored by Bellevue University, Guitars for Vets and the Wounded Warrior Project. The goal is to fill 65 backpacks with essentials that will improve the day-to-day lives of the homeless veterans who are served by the Siena/Francis House.
Heather stopped by the studios at KIOS to chat with Mike Hogan "Live & Local" about the program and how the general public can help out veterans.
Some of the items that many of us take for granted mean the world to these veterans. Items needed include: shampoo, toothbrushes, warm winter gloves and hats, trail mix, water bottles and socks.
Backpacks will be presented to the Siena Francis House staff and residents on Monday, Nov. 11 at the Siena/Francis House’s annual Veterans Day celebration.
Locally, several hundred military veterans seek shelter at the Siena/ Francis House each year; while nationally, about 20 percent of all homeless persons are veterans.
