Non-Perishable Foods Drive for Homeless Veterans

Peggy McGee

COVID-19 may have prevented the annual clothing drive for homeless veterans, but The Women of Quail Creek wanted to do something to help those who have served our country. The solution, a contactless non-perishable foods and paper products drive. The event will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 10 a.m. to noon. To make things convenient for Quail Creek residents, there will be four drop-off locations, all driveways. Items may be taken to Diane Quinn’s at 2276 E. Skywalker Way; Pat Neel’s at 2306 E. Spurwind Lane; Karen Baker’s at 475 N. Keyes Road; and Peggy McGee’s at 1908 E. Longspur Place.

The VA currently has about 900 veterans in its homeless program, about 600 of whom have been moved into housing. Because the homeless veterans who remain on the streets will be the primary recipients of the foods, the VA asks that the canned food products have pull tops. They will accept canned goods that require a can opener for those in housing.

On their list for desired items are canned fruit, canned soups, tuna packets, peanut butter, crackers, Vienna sausages, beef jerky, chili, shredded tuna, chicken and Spam, oatmeal in a cup, and Ramen noodles in a cup.

Paper products needed include unopened packages of toilet paper, paper towels, napkins, disposable cups, plates, and utensils.

Those wishing to make monetary donations are asked to mail them to the VA at Southern Arizona VA Health Care System at 3601 S. 6th Ave. (9-135) Tucson, AZ 85723.

Checks should be made payable to VA Voluntary Services. Please put TWOQC in the memo line so that the VA will realize our community remains committed to helping the homeless veterans.

The VA is not accepting any donations of used clothing until further notice.