đź“… Date: June 23
⏰ Time: 6 – 7:30 p.m.
đź“Ť Location:
Riverfront Community Center
123 S Esplanade St.,
Leavenworth, KS 66048
Event is free, but we encourage attendees to RSVP
Food 4 Thought: Veteran Hunger
Harvesters – The Community Food Network invites community members to an engaging and informative Food 4 Thought event focused on Veteran Hunger, an important issue impacting those who have served our country. This event will bring together local partners, service organizations, and experts to raise awareness, share resources, and foster meaningful dialogue around food security for veterans in our region.
The evening will begin with a reception and community resource tabling at 6 p.m., providing attendees an opportunity to connect with local organizations offering support services. The formal program will begin at 6:30 p.m., featuring a panel of experienced leaders and advocates working directly with veterans.
Panelists Include:
Melissa Hodges,
BSN, RN, CDCES
Health Promotion Disease Prevention Program Manager, Kansas City VA Medical Center
Donnie Wilson,
MSW, CPM
Service Manager, St. Michael’s Veterans Center
Bio
As the Senior Service Manager at St. Michael’s Veteran Center in Kansas City, Missouri, I am dedicated to providing permanent housing solutions for veterans who are experiencing homelessness or living with disabilities. With three decades of professional experience in program development and management across both nonprofit and for-profit sectors, I am committed to making a meaningful impact in the community. In addition to my work at the center, I also serve as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and as a Part-time Lecturer at the University of Kansas. For the past eight years, I have mentored a caseload of at least ten master’s-level social work students each year, supporting their academic and professional growth.
Sister Vickie Perkins
Sisters of Charity – Leavenworth
Paul M Finley
East Regional Manager Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF)
Salvation Army
Moderator
Jury Paulson
Director of Community Impact, Harvesters – The Community Food Network
A SPECIAL THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
This event is made possible thanks to the generous support of KCNSC, Debra and Allen Parmet, and Azura Credit Union, and is co-hosted by the Leavenworth Council on Aging, United Way of Leavenworth County, and Sisters of Charity – Leavenworth.
Through thoughtful conversation and collaboration, this Food 4 Thought event aims to deepen community understanding and inspire action to address food insecurity among veterans. All are encouraged to attend and be part of the conversation.
Debra &
Allen Parmet
WHAT IS FOOD 4 THOUGHT?
Harvesters’ Food 4 Thought is a series of conversations about hunger in our community. Reducing food insecurity requires a multifaceted approach that combines immediate relief with long-term solutions. By understanding the causes and effects, and by taking proactive steps, we can work together to reduce hunger and build a healthier, more equitable community.