Supporting Local Veterans

Credit Unions United is helping to fulfill the immediate needs of veterans by collecting nearly 3,700 personal care items for the Minot Vet Center. 

The US Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that as of January 2022, the number of Veterans who experienced homelessness reached over 33,000. In addition, approximately 7% of veterans live in poverty, and more than 50% percent of homeless veterans have disabilities such as PTSD, substance abuse, and other injuries. Veterans are also at increased risk for suicides. 
 
That is why the Credit Unions United Chapter, under the leadership of Sandi Widdel, branch manager at North Star Community CU, launched Operation Thank You in multiple Minot area credit union locations for the past three years.
 
This year, local credit unions collected 3,677 personal care items, including hygiene products such as shampoo, deodorant, feminine products, toothpaste and toothbrushes, and more, that were donated to the local VA Office. The Veterans Affairs Office then distributes the items to Community Action, Military Affairs, and the Vet Clinic, who in turn give the items to local homeless veterans and veterans in need.
 
To date, every single item donated has been utilized by a local veteran. “When we started this three years ago, our donation items barely took up the space of one couch and some floor space,” stated Widdel. “This year, the donations nearly filled two offices,” she added.