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Homeless Veteran 'Stand Down' Aims to Prep Vets for Winter

Hanibaael via Flickr Creative Commons

The Manchester VA hospital and the not-for-profit Harbor Homes are teaming up for an event in Nashua Thursday that’ll help homeless veterans connect to services and prepare for winter.

The event at Harbor Homes is the seventh annual “Homeless Veteran Stand Down.” It’s a chance for homeless veterans to pick up donated winter clothes, eat a free breakfast and lunch, and get haircuts and flu shots.

Also on hand tomorrow: service providers from the VA, including a nurse practitioner, a representative from the VA’s eligibility department, and someone who can help veterans find permanent housing.

Robert Mottola oversees homelessness and employment the Manchester VA Medical Center. He says it’s important to get all these resources under one roof at a single event.

"We’re able to provide them with some new things, some military surplus items, and hopefully help them get through the winter, if they need those kinds of items," Mottola says

Last year the stand-down attracted about 200 veterans. Veterans are asked to bring proof of having served in the military.

Peter Biello is the host of All Things Considered and Writers on a New England Stage at New Hampshire Public Radio. He has served as a producer/announcer/host of Weekend Edition Saturday at Vermont Public Radio and as a reporter/host of Morning Edition at WHQR in Wilmington, North Carolina.
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