The Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network and its affiliate, the Veterans One Stop, are hosting their 10th annual Thanksgiving Day Luncheon tomorrow from 11 AM to 1 PM at George’s Banquet Hall in Waco.
The luncheon provides veterans, active service members, and their families a free Thanksgiving meal.
MEAGAN NORANBROCK: “It is just a way for veterans to come together and share the holiday spirit. I kind of think of it as a way where veterans can come together, especially after spending probably so many Thanksgivings away from home.”
Meagan Noranbrock, a Program Supervisor with the Veterans One Stop, says events like this are really important for veterans and service members. Not just to provide them with a hot meal, but to help them find community.
MEAGAN: “It is a place where they can connect with other veterans. There's comradery. It doesn’t matter if they are total strangers, there's something about the military community where if you're sitting next to another veteran you automatically have stories to share with each other, you automatically have these similar experiences that you can bond over.”
A veteran herself, Meagan sees the significance of having community-driven events for former service members.
MEAGAN: “I just think it is really, really important to be able to have these events so that veterans of all walks of life can come together, share their stories, talk to each other, and just know that they aren’t alone.”
The Veterans One Stop serves as a resource hub, offering support, companionship, knowledge, and guidance to veterans and their dependents.
Programs include peer-driven engagement facilitated by the Military Veterans Peer Network (MVPN), therapeutic counseling tailored for veterans and their loved ones, support in navigating veterans' benefits and claims, assistance in workforce integration and job placement, guidance in the GI Bill application process, legal counsel, and many other social services.
MEAGAN: “There’s so much. They call us a one stop for a reason.”
The Heart of Texas Veterans One Stop encourages all veterans, service members and their families to come out tomorrow afternoon to enjoy the Holiday season and celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Thanksgiving luncheon.
MEAGAN: “Wherever the veterans are in central Texas, come on down.”
To learn more about the Heart of Texas Behavioral Health Network and the Veterans One Stop, visit hotbnh.org.
For 103.3 Waco Public Radio, I’m Autumn Jones.
