Texas VFW Post Assists Older Members During COVID-19 Pandemic

'We have set up a program that has our younger, healthy veterans assist fellow veterans and families in the area'

A VFW Post in central Texas is providing relief to veterans and their families who have been affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic.

VFW Post 12161 in Buda, Texas, located about 15 miles southwest of Austin, in March started to assist older veterans who need to stay at home due to the shelter-in-place order from the state of Texas.

Post 12161 is a part of the Buda VSO Alliance, which also includes Buda’s American Legion Post 213 and Amvets Post 115. The VSOs, or veterans service organizations, are all working together to assist their community’s veterans, said Bruce White, director of the Buda VSO Alliance.

“We have set up a program that has our younger, healthy veterans assist fellow veterans and families in the area," White said. “We pick up groceries and supplies. We also mow yards or whatever else we can do to assist them.”

White said many of the veterans in the area are 70 to 75 years old, and that they need assistance and protection from the ongoing pandemic.

By Dave Spiva/VFW magazine