Now serving: Hope

Army Veteran Lyle Bludell got more than he was expecting when he visited a Houston-area Veteran food pantry this week. He found a little hope.

When he arrived, he was sitting in a line of cars, waiting to get some much needed food. That's when Andre Napier, a social worker at Houston VA, approached him, offering support, resources and encouragement.

"Andre came right up to my car window, told me I might be eligible for VA health care and told me about some of what VA has to offer. I'm not the type to be depressed or ask for a handout, but I have to say I have had some pretty dark days since my job was cut. It was great to hear about everything that is out there for us Vets," Bludell shared.

Napier, a suicide prevention coordinator at Houston VA, was at the food pantry as part of a new initiative aimed at connecting vulnerable Veterans with VA's crisis line and suicide prevention resources. He handed out VA crisis line bags, gun locks and more to Veterans while offering them support and information.

"The correlation between food insecurity and Veteran suicide got us thinking about ways we can reach Veterans to share the VA crisis line information and all our VA resources with them," said Elizabeth Kleeman, Mental Health Care Line special programs coordinator. "By partnering with Combined Arms, one of our local Veterans Service Organizations that does amazing work combatting Veteran food insecurity, we were able to reach out to hundreds of Veterans at two mobile food pantry events this month. We are thrilled to get these resources and this information in the hands of the Veterans who may need it the most."

Jeremiah Jackson, associate director of Houston VA, is pictured above helping load food and water into Veterans cars.

Bludell plans to come to the Texas City VA Outpatient Clinic and enroll for his first appointment soon. "I have never really needed VA before, but since I lost my insurance, it's a different story. It's been very tough the last few months. I even thought about giving up a few times, but then I think about my daughter and granddaughter. I'm so grateful for all this help," he said.

During September, communities across the country pause to recognize Suicide Prevention Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness and fostering dialogue about this important topic. Recognizing the need for a more integrated approach to suicide prevention, Veteran and community organizations in the Houston area are working hard to come together to connect Veterans to vital resources.

"Prevention often starts with connection, and we want to make sure Veterans are not only fed but also cared for, valued and supported," said Kleeman. "This initiative is a crucial step toward creating a safer, more inclusive community where every Veteran knows they are not alone in their struggles."

Despite his current challenges, Bludell says he is feeling hopeful for the future. "God works in mysterious ways. He led me to this event and I'm leaving with a heart full of gratitude."

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