HARRISBURG, PA — Hundreds of thousands of dollars in grant funding are being distributed across Pennsylvania to help veterans access food, housing, transportation, and mental health support through a statewide initiative funded entirely by public donations.
What This Means for You
- Direct Support for Veterans: Grants fund services like food assistance, housing support, and mental health care.
- Local Impact: County offices and nonprofits will expand outreach and emergency aid programs.
- No Taxpayer Cost: The program is funded entirely through voluntary donations and specialty license plate sales.
The Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs has awarded $804,973 through the Veterans’ Trust Fund, supporting nine county veterans offices and 19 nonprofit and veterans service organizations.
The Veterans’ Trust Fund is financed through voluntary donations from residents, including contributions made when renewing driver’s licenses or vehicle registrations, as well as proceeds from specialty license plates honoring veterans. State officials said all funds go directly to grants, with no administrative or staffing costs deducted.
Where the Funding Is Going
Of the total, $128,936 is allocated to county veterans offices to expand local outreach and services.
Chester County Veterans Affairs will receive $15,000 to implement outreach initiatives focused on increasing awareness of available resources.
Other county projects include service dog training in Bedford County, emergency assistance programs in Juniata and Mifflin counties, and expanded mental health and community engagement efforts in Fayette County.
The remaining $676,037 is being distributed to 19 nonprofit and veterans service organizations, with funding focused on mental health, employment, transportation, and food assistance.
Programs include food distribution efforts, job placement services, legal aid, therapeutic programs, and housing support for veterans transitioning out of homelessness.
Types of Services Funded
Funded programs address a range of challenges veterans may face after service, including food insecurity, lack of transportation, unemployment, and behavioral health needs.
Some organizations will provide direct services such as daily meal delivery for homebound veterans, while others offer job training, counseling, or transportation to medical appointments.
“These grants provide vital resources for the organizations that support Pennsylvania’s 700,000 veterans – organizations that make sure our veterans can put food on the table, have transportation to get where they need to go, and receive the benefits they earned through their service,” said Governor Josh Shapiro.
Maj. Gen. John Pippy, head of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, said the program depends on public support to fund services.
“Because of the generosity of Pennsylvanians, the Veterans’ Trust Fund allows us to deliver essential funding to these groups,” Pippy said.
Long-Term Impact and Program History
Since its creation in 2013, the Veterans’ Trust Fund has awarded nearly $10 million to organizations serving veterans across the state.
All grants are contingent on finalized agreements with recipients before funds are distributed.
How to Contribute or Learn More
Residents can donate to the Veterans’ Trust Fund online at:
https://www.pa.gov/dmva/donate/
Additional information about the program is available at:
www.vtf.pa.gov
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