While unemployed and in the middle of finding new living arrangements, Army veteran Wanda Griffin turned to VFW’s Unmet Needs program.
Army veteran Wanda Griffin deployed in December 1990 to serve during the Persian Gulf War with the 128th Combat Support Hospital as a cook.She came across the program while researching options for assistance and applied for the grant in March. Since receiving the $1,303.65 grant, Griffin has become more financially secure. She also now has the means to secure housing for herself and her son.
“[The Unmet Needs grant] meant the world to me,” Griffin said. “It came at a time in which I was having to move from one place to another while I was unemployed and in need of assistance.”
Unmet Needs, according to Griffin, is significant to the veteran community because it’s “designed to help all who have served in their time of need.”
“A lot of times, we don’t know what’s available to us,” Griffin said, “and to have an organization that’s real and available saying, ‘Thank you for your service,’ ‘What can we do to help you because you served?’ is a wonderful and outstanding compliment that goes a long way in our community and we need that.”
Since its inception in 2004, Unmet Needs has granted more than $10 million to 8,800 military and veteran families, regardless of their VFW eligibility.
Griffin, who deployed in December 1990 during the Persian Gulf War with the 128th Combat Support Hospital as a cook, said she would tell others in a similar situation not to hesitate if they are considering applying.
“I had no idea if the program worked or not,” Griffin said. “All I know is I needed help or we were going to be homeless. I took a chance and applied and I received help immediately.”
In addition to being grateful for the assistance itself, Griffin said the timeliness of it also helped.
“It was a true godsend for me,” Griffin said. “I am truly grateful for this organization, and I hope that all veterans that are in need at some point in their lives, are led to this program. It’s a legitimate program with the veterans’ needs at heart.”
This article is featured in the September/October 2018 issue of VFW Checkpoint, and was written by Kari Williams, associate editor, VFW magazine.