Veterans director Middaugh says outreach reached hundreds; microgrant approved for pantry

Director of the Allegany County Veterans Service Agency Middaugh told the Personnel Committee he has been expanding community outreach and seeing concrete results. "We talked to 71 veterans that day," he said of a single outreach event; "and then at the county fair ... we talked to 637 veterans up there." Middaugh said the outreach also identified 10 newly arrived veterans who have since been scheduled for follow-up appointments.

Middaugh asked the committee to accept a microgrant from the New York Health Foundation and a Veterans One-Stop Center to purchase infrastructure for a food pantry that will be located in the agency's new office space. "We couldn't purchase everything we needed with the 3,000 that they've already given us," he said, and added that the foundation indicated additional funding could be available if needed. Committee members moved, seconded and approved accepting the donation by voice vote. Middaugh also described a partnership with the Olean veterans court that would allow criminal-justice-involved veterans to perform four hours per week of community service at the pantry.

The director noted training requirements and conferences the agency must now attend in person after state funding changes, and previewed upcoming events including a rail-car ride and a veterans-and-family appreciation picnic to be held on land owned by the Allegany County Veterans Service Organization. Committee members praised the outreach and approved the item to accept the donation; staff will complete the recommended administrative steps to receive the microgrant.