Serving Area Military
Honoring Active Service Members, Veterans and their Widows.
Serving Area Military is a group of veteran supporters that have come together to be the conduit of the community's love for our veterans. We utilize the community to discover needs and find solutions.
We have been a volunteer led organization that looks to provide solutions instead of handouts.
 |  |  |
|---|
Serving Area Military and Veterans- SAM Center at a Glance
Founded in March 2015, Serving Area Military and Veterans was created to assist local heroes and their families. We are a community of veterans and military supporters working together. Formed out of the belief that we can make the lives of service members, veterans and their widows better, Serving Area Military collaborates with other community agencies to ensure programs are not being duplicated, while the gap in assistance is being filled.
Serving Area Military operates the SAM Center facility located in Massillon, Ohio. The location is provided by American Legion Post 221 on a zero dollar lease. Our facility was remodeled by caring volunteers. Local businesses and volunteers donated all materials and services. It is a true example of how Veterans' Service Organizations serve the community.
The continued growth and operations of the SAM Center along with other programs offered by Serving Area Military are financed through private donations from individuals, civic groups, businesses and private grants.
When the community puts forward a need, we will strive to find a way to fill that need in the veteran and military community. We are honored to continue serving.
Serving Area Military Programs
Serving Area Military and Veterans operates the SAM Center. We are in the business of changing and shaping lives.
Serving Area Military, primarily through the SAM Center, offers several programs to assist our heroes. The donors and volunteers that make the assistant possible do so out of gratitude to our local military members, veterans and their families.
The Commissary
Providing outreach through food assistance
The SAM Center houses a free commissary (pantry) of non-perishable food items, meat, personal hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and paper products. The commissary offers 2 weeks worth of food every 30 days.
In addition to the commissary Serving Area Military offers three-day emergency food bags that are distributed at locations throughout Northeast Ohio.
Various types of clothing are made available to clients when possible including socks, t-shirts, hats, baby / children’s items and seasonal clothing. All clothing is new.
Lodging Kits
Helping homeless veterans transition to housing
We seek to provide a basic household setup for veterans and military families facing housing struggles or transitioning from homelessness. Although they are provided a roof over their head, the veterans are in need of basic household items to make their house a home.
A lodging kit allows the transitioning veteran to cook, clean, bathe and wash. It is a way to ensure the veteran has the ability to live on their own.
Veteran Outreach and Resources
One Step at a Time
The SAM Center works as an informational resource to help connect military / veterans to local programs and services other organizations and agencies offer, including VA benefits, PTSD information and counseling services. Staff can direct military / veterans to programs to meet their needs and provide appropriate contact information.
Veterans' Resource Fair
A Single Stop Assistance Resource
The Serving Area Military’s Veteran’s Resource Fair is a single day event for Northeast Ohio veterans. Nearly one hundred military and veteran related organizations join forces to assist our area heroes. Services include financial assistance, medical assistance, VA benefit assistance, clothing, housing and much more.
Thanksgiving Program
Helping The Community
The SAM Center with the help of our volunteers and donors help make sure that Thanksgiving is part of our Veterans Holiday season. Last year we provided 223 complete Thanksgiving packages to our Heroes that allowed them to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for nearly 1200 Veterans and their family members.
Christmas Program
Reinforcing our Commitment
Serving Area Military’s donors help our local Veterans provide Christmas gifts to the children of our Veterans. Our Heroes can come in and shop, at no charge, for gifts for their children. We need you help… .
We accept donations of new, unwrapped toys at the SAM Center during regular hours or at one of our Toy Drop Off Locations.
“A nation that does not honor its heroes will not long endure.”
Abraham Lincoln
Contact Serving Area Military
For Veterans, and Widows
- SAM Center -