Bascom: House Lawmakers Launch Philanthropy Effort to Support Hoosier Veterans

Indiana House lawmakers are partnering with a nonprofit to host an essentials drive for Hoosier vets in need.

INDIANAPOLIS - Indiana House lawmakers and Helping Veterans and Families of Indiana, a nonprofit dedicated to ending veteran homelessness, are partnering for the 2025 legislative session to host an essentials drive to help Hoosier veterans in need. 

In October 2024, a catastrophic fire at a housing property operated by HVAF displaced 48 veterans. The organization has been working since to support those affected and rebuild. Through March, we'll be collecting food, clothing, hygiene items and monetary donations at the Statehouse to support HVAF and the veterans they serve.

According to HVAF, approximately 500 Hoosier veterans experience homelessness every year. The 2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development found more than 35,000 veterans nationally experienced homelessness on a single night in January. 

HVAF created a general ongoing necessities Amazon wish list that details the most needed items.

The public is welcome to drop off donation items at the bins placed outside the House Chamber on the third floor and in the south atrium of the fourth floor at the Statehouse. Hoosiers who would like to make a monetary donation can do so here.

HVAF of Indiana is a 501(c)(3) that helps homeless veterans return to self-sufficiency and engages at-risk veterans and their families to prevent them from becoming homeless by providing housing, case management, food, hygiene and clothing, as well as important and other essential services.