Thursday, October 1, 2026
Veterans are invited to connect with service providers, receive food assistance and learn about benefits they may be eligible for during a Veterans Resource Fair and Food Distribution on Aug. 5 at Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1790 in Valley Stream.
The fair, hosted by VFW Post 1790 in partnership with Long Island Cares food bank, will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the post, 65 E. Merrick Road. The event is open only to veterans and their families.
“Long Island Cares is committed to serving our veterans in many ways and all over the Island,” Justin Berbig, veterans outreach manager for Long Island Cares, said. “We’re grateful to join our like-minded partners in Valley Stream to assist those who bravely served our country — whether it’s providing fresh produce, making resources available to help them navigate life, helping them find jobs and opening our pantries to them exclusively on Military Appreciation Tuesdays. We owe our veterans so much, and this is our way of saying thank you.”
The fair is designed to bring a wide range of services together in one location, making it easier for veterans to access information and support. About 40 vendors from Nassau and Suffolk counties are expected to participate, offering resources that include mental health counseling, education opportunities, housing information, assistance with disability claims and other veteran services. Long Island Cares also plans to distribute between 500 and 600 pounds of food to veterans and their families.
While the event is being held in Valley Stream, VFW leaders stressed that it is intended for veterans throughout Long Island, Brooklyn and Queens.
“We don’t want the information to be stagnant, just for Valley Stream or Elmont,” Kevin Hill, commander of Post 1790, said. “We want all veterans to come out so that they can spread the information, whatever they gain from some of the vendors.”
The resource fair marks the first event of its kind hosted jointly by Post 1790 and Long Island Cares. The organizations have worked together previously through the post’s annual turkey drive, and discussions about expanding that partnership into a larger resource fair began months ago. The additional planning time allowed them to coordinate dozens of participating agencies and create a centralized event offering a broad range of services.
Bringing so many organizations together in one place is especially valuable because veterans often have to travel to multiple locations to learn about available programs. Having representatives from numerous agencies available in person gives veterans the opportunity to ask questions directly, better understand the benefits they have earned through military service and learn about programs they may not have known existed.
Among the services available will be assistance navigating disability claims, an area said to be especially challenging for older veterans who may not be comfortable completing online applications. Post members regularly help veterans and their families understand the claims process and connect them with the appropriate resources.
“Always remember the Vietnam veterans, how they got treated,” Hill said. “We don’t want to be treated that way. A lot of us are now more resourceful. There are a whole bunch of applications. Everyone is trying to help one another, but do not forget the Vietnam vets. We’re getting what we want to get now, but at any given time, any administration change that happens, and we’ll be left behind.
“That’s why we pay close attention to what’s going on,” he continued. “These legislators and laws, they’ve got one coming up now. They want to change some disability rules for veterans. But that’s the same thing you did to the Vietnam vets. But we’re paying close attention to it and watching what’s going on to make sure it doesn’t happen to our generation. That’s huge.”
Food insecurity is also an ongoing concern for veterans across Long Island. Pantries that serve veterans regularly see large numbers of people seeking assistance, including veterans from multiple generations.
“You can’t believe how many food pantries there are, even on the college campus on Long Island, at Old Westbury, Hofstra, Stony Brook,” Patrick Clayton, the junior vice commander of Post 1790, said. “Our student veterans use these food pantries, and they need to be filled. We try our best to help out every veteran going to the schools, coming to the posts.”
Organizers expressed hope that combining food distribution with the resource fair will encourage veterans to explore additional services while they are attending the event.
VFW members said they also want to challenge outdated perceptions about what local veterans’ organizations do. In addition to advocating for veterans and connecting them with benefits, the post focuses on community service, outreach and ensuring veterans of every generation remain connected to available support.
Veterans who are unable to attend may contact the post by email at vfw1790@gmail.com to request resource information. Post members said they will provide pamphlets and other materials to those who cannot attend in person.
Veterans planning to attend are encouraged to bring a photo ID and a copy of their DD Form 214.
For more information, contact Berbig at (631) 582-3663, ext. 151.
