As a veteran and a parent raising a family of seven, I never imagined there would come a time when I would struggle to put food on our table. But with the rising cost of groceries, feeding five children and making sure nobody goes hungry has become a challenge we face every single week.

When SD Gunner Fund provided our family with venison through their Bounty for the Brave program, it meant so much more than receiving free meat. It meant nutritious meals on our table, money we could put toward other necessities, and one less burden weighing on our shoulders.

There’s a certain kind of heartbreak that comes with serving your country and then worrying about whether you can afford to feed your own family. This program reminded us that our community hasn’t forgotten about us.

To some people, it’s just venison. To our family, it’s full bellies, a little breathing room financially, and the dignity of knowing we can provide for our children. We aren’t looking for a handout. We’re simply grateful for a helping hand when we needed it most.

SD Gunner Fund didn’t just help fill our freezer. They helped restore our peace of mind, and that’s something our family will never forget.

— A Veteran