New England Patriots providing food for military families during coronavirus pandemic

For the last five weeks, the New England Patriots football team has been providing meals for military veterans and their families affected by the coronavirus pandemic. 

The program is a part of Food4Vets, and was made possible with help from the USA Veterans & Military Support Foundation. 

This Wednesday, the Patriots truck will make a stop at the Cross Insurance Center in Bangor, Maine to distribute food packages containing non-perishable foods and nutritionist-developed recipes that provide three meals a day for two people for 14 days, according to a press release. The food will be distributed from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, May 6th, but all pick-ups must be scheduled in advance by clicking here.  

“These are unprecedented times, and we must do all we can to meet the immediate needs of our veterans and their families,” USA Veterans and Military Support Foundation’s founder and CEO Don Cox said.

Teaming up for #Food4Vets!

The #Patriots Foundation teamed up with @DanOBrienAuto to distribute over 8,400 meals to NE veterans, with more stops coming next week.

5/4 in Merrimack, NH: https://t.co/Wcxytbmn62

5/6 in Bangor, ME: https://t.co/QiONcNpFNL pic.twitter.com/qQ5w3lNiR9

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) April 30, 2020

This will be the truck’s seventh stop and the program has already delivered more than 1.7 million meals to veterans in need. Organizers hope to expand the program to veterans in other New England states. 

“We have been focused on food handouts but it’s important because the supply chain isn’t doing well right now…It’s almost like a buoyancy device for a sinking ship,” Shawn ‘Doc’ Goodwin of the Maine Veterans Project told NEWS CENTER Maine. “It’s helping us stay afloat.”

“[The Patriots] really put thought into this. It’s shelf-sustainable, it’s balanced, and it’s nutritional,” Goodwin said of the food packages. “It’s genuinely heartwarming to see the Patriots organization put so much thought into the program… it’s abundantly clear it’s not simply a PR ploy.”

“Veterans with injuries and service-connected disabilities are our nation’s most susceptible and are at greatest risk today,” Cox said. 

“Many are coping with weakened immune systems, increased isolation and financial hardship. We do all we can to help these veterans and their families through these immensely challenging times and thank all of our partners whose assistance match our commitment to provide five million meals to veterans in need throughout New England.”