VA Story Archives - West Virginia Public Broadcasting

VA And Mountaineer Food Bank Host Monthly Food Drive For Veterans And Active-Duty Military

A free monthly food drive for veterans and active-duty military will be on Nov. 3 at 200 Stadium Road in Beckley beginning at 8 a.m. Usually the distribution is the second Friday of the month, however due to the federal holiday, Veterans Day, the distribution will be the first Friday.

The program was designed to help alleviate food insecurity for veterans. Sara Yoke spokesperson for the Beckley VA Medical Center says that the rise in living cost have especially affected veterans who oftentimes live on a fixed income.

“I think with Veterans Day approaching, one of the most important ways we can honor our nation’s veterans is ensuring that they have access to the nutrition they need to thrive and stay healthy. That’s the least we can do,” Yoke said.

The program is a product of the partnership between the VA and the Mountaineer Food Bank. She says that each month the food bank in Beckley distributes around 600 boxes. However, she says that typically they don’t have enough food boxes for everyone.

“Unfortunately, there’s still a growing demand as people struggle with the economy and we have an aging veteran population that we serve. Those two things coincide,” Yoke said. “We have to ensure that we help out the Mountaineer Food Bank, you know, continuously help grow their donation network.”

She said statewide the need is even greater. Between January and September of 2023, the program has distributed 12,000 food boxes. The boxes are packed with pantry staples and fresh produce.

Check in begins at 8 a.m. and the distribution is held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. There are no income parameters for receiving a food box.

Permanent VA Outpatient Clinic Opens in Greenbrier County

In 2015, the Veterans Affairs Greenbrier County Outpatient Clinic was closed after staff found issues with air quality at the old facility. The clinic was later moved to temporary trailers. Now, almost two years later, a permanent veteran’s out-patient clinic has opened. The clinic will serve more than 1,200 veterans from Greenbrier, Monroe, Pocahontas, and Summers counties, along with Alleghany County, Virginia.

“With persistent dedication from community veteran advocates and members of Congress we were able to accelerate the approval for a replacement clinic here,” said Stacy Vasquez, director of the Beckley VA Medical Center.

“The opening of this facility will provide better access to healthcare, which is important to this region,” said Vasquez at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“Community out based clinics provide our veterans with healthcare closer to their homes. The opening of this facility helps alleviate travel times and distances, which can be a potential barrier to getting healthcare,” said Vasquez.

Shortening travel time is vital for vets who have trouble getting around, said Jim Creasman, a local veteran who spent time writing letters and advocating for the Ronceverte clinic to stay open.

Veterans listen to speakers at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new VA outpatient clinic in Greenbrier County.

“There’s a tremendous amount of veterans that receive their care here,” he said. “And it’s not just the old guys – there’s a whole slew of modern warfare – Iraq, Afghanistan that will also be receiving their care here as well.”

The new clinic will have virtually the same staff and services as the old clinic and will serve veterans from the same five county area. It offers services such as primary care, mental health, x-rays, and basic diagnostic lab work.

U.S. Representative Evan Jenkins as well as WV Senators Shelley Moore Capito, and Joe Manchin attended Monday’s ceremony.

Appalachia Health News is a project of West Virginia Public Broadcasting, with support from the Benedum Foundation, Charleston Area Medical Center and WVU Medicine.

Martinsburg Veterans Center Touts Its Short Wait Time

VA Hospitals across the country have been criticized for long wait times and not being accessible enough to veterans. But officials at the VA Medical Center in Martinsburg say they are serving veterans in a timely manner.

The Martinsburg Veterans Affairs Medical Center held a round table with media Tuesday to discuss what the center is working on – new programs, long term care, mental healthcare, and more.

Medical Center Director, Timothy Cooke says the Martinsburg VA ranks above the national average for accessibility. He says over 98% of veterans who come to the Martinsburg VA are seen within 30 days.

Cooke also says the VA is quickly developing its women’s health clinic with a focus on military sexual trauma. He says its homeless outreach and its in-home care are developing as well.

“It’s very hard sometimes for the veteran and the staff to hear the stories that are out there nationally, because they do see a difference. They do see that there is outstanding care being delivered,” Cooke noted.

Every three months, Cooke says the VA holds, “Town Hall” meetings where he invites veterans to come together and voice concerns and questions to the VA staff.

Over-Prescription of Opiates to Veterans on Reveal

Reveal is a new investigative program from the The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX. In this pilot: an exclusive story about the volume and impact stemming from the VA’s over-prescripton of opiates to addicted veterans; the attorney behind many of the worst for-profit charities; bodycams for cops; and how one reporter helped one man prove his brother had been abused at a state mental facility. Hosted by Al Letson from State of the Re:Union and WJCT, Jacksonville.

Reveal airs Thursday, April 10 at 9 p.m. on West Virginia Public Radio.