Veterans Outreach Center Dedicates New Food Operations Center

Filed Under: Non Profit News

In front of a standing-room only crowd of donors, veterans, guests, friends and dignitaries, the Cape and Islands Veterans Outreach Center (CIVOC) dedicated its newly constructed Food Operations Center at 233 Stevens St. in Hyannis Dec. 16.

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From left, Danny Sawyer, Operations Support Specialist, CIVOC; Cheryl Lussier Poppe Secretary, Massachusetts Department of Veterans’ Services; state Rep. Steven Xiarhos, Barnstable 5th District; Mike Gleason, Operations Manager, CIVOC; Jim Seymour, Executive Director, CIVOC; Mike Dunford, President, CIVOC Board of Directors; and Martha Buyer, Operations Support Specialist, CIVOC.

Since the COVID crisis began in 2020, the veteran community and their families across our region have been ever-more dependent upon the availability of healthy food resources as well as home delivery to homebound veterans. Currently the Food Distribution Center provides food for 13 regional food banks and countless home deliveries. We anticipate opening additional food pantries in the next quarter.

In 2021, CIVOC provided less than 50 Thanksgiving holiday dinners based upon demand, and just one year later the organization provided more than 155 dinners with the fixings for Thanksgiving. Demand for the Christmas distribution will exceed that number, as  new veterans and their families are added on a weekly basis.

More information at www.capeveterans.com