This Veterans Day, United Way of Greater Nashville honors the courage and sacrifice of those who served our nation. And our commitment to them extends far beyond one day.
In Tennessee, 7% of veterans live below the poverty level, and another 24% are ALICE — working hard yet still struggling to afford basics like housing, food, and transportation. Our mission is to ensure that every veteran and military family has access to the resources they’ve earned.
Through Mission United, we connect active-duty service members, veterans, and their families in Fort Campbell and across Middle Tennessee to essential, free support — cutting through the red tape so they can focus on their next chapter. Key Services include:
- 211 Helpline: Call or text 211 (or 931-552-4636 in Clarksville) for crisis support, housing, utilities, food, and more.
- Food Assistance for Veterans & Active Duty: If your SNAP benefits paused or changed due to federal policy, get immediate support and resources at our SNAP Emergency Response page.
- Imagination Library: Free monthly books for children birth to age 5.
- Free Tax Help (VITA): Certified volunteers providing no-cost tax filing at unitedwayfilefree.com.
We proudly partner with organizations serving active-duty and veterans with care and honor, including:
- Operation Stand Down Tennessee – Davidson & Montgomery Counties
- Soldiers and Families Embraced (SAFE)
- Armed Services YMCA at Fort Campbell
- The Building Lives Foundation
Together, we provide pathways to counseling, housing, employment, childcare, emergency support, and community connection.
Our community thrives when neighbors lift one another up. You can honor veterans not just in words, but in action. Through Hands On, powered by United Way of Greater Nashville, volunteers support veterans and military families through:
- Serving meals to veterans on Wednesdays each week- Operation Stand Down TN
- Service meals to veterans on Fridays each week – Operation Stand Down TN
- Special events and seasonal assistance- Memories of Honor
Whether you are a veteran, a military family member, or simply someone who wants to give back — there is a place for you to serve.
If you are a veteran or military family member, we see you and we honor you. We are here.
For those experience food insecurities in Clarksville, please visit: https://bit.ly/cmc-snaphelp