Hundreds of Maine’s homeless veterans require not only shelter, but also food and medical care and jobs. And those who are in transitional housing badly need standard household items.

As part of an ongoing effort to assist local veterans, the Rotary Club of South Portland/Cape Elizabeth has provided $1,260 worth of Hannaford gift cards to the Veterans Affairs Administration for distribution to those in need. The Rotary provided $1,000 and Hannaford donated the additional cards.

These cards will allow veterans to purchase food, household goods, toiletries, paper goods and other necessities.

Dan Davidson, chairman of the Rotary Club’s Homeless Maine Veterans Committee said, “We and the VA are extremely grateful to Hannaford for donating additional cards to our efforts.”

The local Rotary Club has also assisted the veterans by providing public transportation passes, purchasing beds, donating household goods and bicycles, and assisting with the annual VA2K walk to raise awareness of the problem of homeless veterans.

In 2013, emergency shelter was provided to 499 homeless veterans across the state. Other homeless veterans languish in their vehicles or uncounted encampments.

Help is also welcomed from non-Rotarians. Contact Rotary president Ellie Speh at elliespeh@yahoo.com or Susan Whittington, with the Veterans Affairs Administration at 623-8411, ext. 4344, or Susan.Whittington@va.gov.