Author Archive

Vittles for Vets was recently selected for Freedom First Credit Union’s Play for Purpose – First Downs program. For every first down that Virginia Tech Football makes in a game, Freedom First donates $100 to a local charity! Bill, Sandra, January and her kids were all in Lane Stadium to watch Virginia Tech make 25 (yes, 25!!) first downs against Pittsburgh on Sept. 30! On October 16, Vittles was awarded $2500! That’s enough to feed a Veteran for 1 year in our program!

Thank you to Spencer Lowery, Freedom First Credit

On Oct. 12, Bill and January were presented with a $500 donation from Post Commander Jay Kyle of VFW Post 5311 in Christiansburg. The Veteran members of Post 5311 volunteer their time throughout the year with weekly bingo, VT concessions, etc. to raise funds for local organizations such as Vittles. Thank you to the men and women of Post 5311 for your continued support of our at-risk Veterans and our mission.

During the pandemic, St. John Neumann Academy 4th grade teacher, Mrs. Nikki Gibson, had a brilliant idea on how the students could honor Veterans, and instill the true meaning of empathy and giving to those who have so little. Mrs. Gibson created a fun and interesting fundraising event, encouraging all the children of the school to wear goofy and outrageous hats, on one specific day only, to raise much needed funding for the Vittles for Vets Charity and Crazy Hat Day was born!

That was in 2021 and, to our delight,

On September 21, Director of Operations January Gerow joined the members of the Belmont II Ruritan Club for dinner and the opportunity to speak about benefits the Vittles for Vets program provides, and the plight of the at-risk Veterans in our community. Unfortunately, the plight of our Veterans is only getting worse as inflation on groceries, gas and utilities increases. January spoke about recent calls from Veterans behind on their electric bills, facing the inability to pay for prescription drugs, doing without one necessity to afford another, and transportation issues.

Vittles for Vets hosted the 6th Annual Thorn Spring Golf Tournament at the Thorn Spring Golf and Event Center in Pulaski, VA on July 15th. 22 teams came out in support of our mission for a beautiful day of golf, with lunch before the tournament and raffles and live auction after. This event raised more than $8,500 for the Vittles for Vets charity which would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of our Vittles volunteers, the businesses and individuals who sponsored the event, and the always professional and

This effort was the result of a partnership between FIRST NRV CREDIT UNION and Janiele Hamden, the COVID-19 SUPPORT GROUP founder, who provides a weekly RADFORD CARE CARD and gift to an organization recognized for their tremendous service and good will in Radford.

Pictured from left to right:

Luke Bland (Marketing & Member Specialist)

Owen McKinnie (CEO)

Bill McCann (Founder of Vittles for Vets)

Janiele Hamden (Dedicated Radford Community Member)

Sue Kirk (Consumer Lending Officer)

Belmont II Ruritan Club President, Dean Gray presenting a check for $300.00 to Bill McCann. founder, and Betty Whiteman, event coordinator to support the Vittles for Vets program.

Bill McCann with Vittles for Vets Radford came by to pick up a SUPPORT-LOCAL/SHOP LOCAL check for $280.00 from John Giesen of 11 West. Like Vittles for Vets, over 55 businesses and charities have benefited from the amazing outpouring of community support through the purchase of tee shirts! To see all who have benefited, click the link-https://shoplocal.elevenwest.com/ Thank you to everyone who has helped make a difference.

BAE Systems donated $1,000.00 in $25.00 gift cards for either a turkey or a ham at any food store. (Christmas 2019) for our veterans in need.