According to recent US government data and financial studies, about 60% of Americans live either below the federal poverty line or paycheck to paycheck, leaving little cushion for unexpected expenses.
To survive, many are adopting emergency budgets. But even the most severe austerity measures may not be enough. The mortgage and rent must be paid. So what can you cut? Too often it's about food: eating less or sacrificing nutrition. Unfortunately, many veterans and their families face this choice every day.
Latest data from USDA shows that approximately 7.5% of veterans—about 1.5 million—are hungry or food insecure. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reports that people aged 65 to 74 are now at greatest risk, compared with just a few years ago when people aged 55 to 64 faced the highest rates.
Within subgroups the picture becomes murkier. Nearly one in five female veterans, many of whom are raising children, report food insecurity. More than a third of disabled veterans of working age struggle to feed themselves.
Many veterans face significant challenges during the transition from military service to civilian life, with economic hardship and underemployment being among the most pressing issues. Some veterans have difficulty finding stable, well-paying jobs, resulting in low incomes or unemployment. For those living with disabilities or health restrictions, maintaining a regular job can be even more difficult, further reducing their earning capacity and financial stability—factors that put them at greater risk of food insecurity.
These economic struggles are exacerbated by benefit gaps and bureaucratic barriers. VA disability benefits are often treated as unearned income for means-testing purposes in some federal programs. But these benefits were never intended to be treated as a salary.
Veterans Affairs benefits were designed to help offset the additional living expenses of disabled people. In programs where they count toward income limits, this classification may unfairly exclude many veterans from receiving assistance through programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP.
SNAP can provide significant short-term relief by adding protein, vegetables, and fruits to your meals. However, because disability benefits often force veterans to exceed income thresholds, too many are excluded. According to RANDIn 2023, only about 4.9% of food insecure veterans received SNAP assistance.
Housing instability exacerbates the crisis: Veterans who are homeless or lack stable housing face even greater challenges in securing food stability and access to healthy food options.
Mental and physical health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and chronic pain can make it difficult for veterans to access, prepare or prioritize nutritious food, especially when combined with financial or housing difficulties. Geographic barriers further compound these difficulties for veterans living in rural areas, where grocery stores, food banks, and veterans' facilities may be few and far between.
On Thanksgiving Day, we gather around tables piled high with turkey, vegetables and homemade desserts, raising a glass to those who have defended our freedom. But gratitude itself does not fill an empty stomach. Veterans can't eat our gratitude.
Instead of simply thanking veterans for their service, we can honor their memory with meaningful actions.
Volunteer. Invest your time through reliable organizations such as DAV (Disabled American Veterans) and its Volunteers for Veterans program. There are countless ways to make a difference, from helping out at local food pantries and nutrition centers for veterans, volunteering at VA medical centers, or simply delivering groceries to a veteran in your area. Even an hour a month can have a lasting effect.
Advocate. Raise your voice for those who served. Encourage elected officials to uphold their responsibility to veterans and their families through initiatives like the DAV Commanders Action Network, which helps advance legislation to ensure no veteran faces hunger or neglect.
Hire. Veterans with service-connected disabilities are among the most capable and resilient members of society. Hiring a veteran doesn't just fill a vacancy—it provides economic stability that helps them avoid food insecurity while strengthening the organization with proven leadership, discipline, and determination.
These tangible acts of compassion can help ensure that no veteran who defended our freedom is left to face hunger alone. Together, these frontline actions create lasting change and reaffirm the nation's promise to care for those who have endured this battle. Veterans stood up for us; now it’s our turn to stand up for them.
Through increased awareness, advocacy, and community support, we can work toward a future in which all veterans live safe, healthy lives, free of hunger. Now there is something to be grateful for.
Nee, a Marine Corps veteran, is a national commander of the Disabled American Veterans. He previously served as Massachusetts Secretary of Veterans Affairs and as a member of the DAV National Executive Committee.
