States are finding increasingly inventive ways of helping local veterans. The Athens Banner-Herald reported on Nov. 20 that a variety of veterans service agencies and support groups – including representatives of the Georgia Department of Veterans Services, representatives of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the University of Georgia and the Social Security Administration – would meet at what would be called a "supermarket of veterans benefits."
On Tuesday, at The Classic Center in downtown Athens, they pulled it off. In the center's huge ballroom, veterans found dozens of service groups, organizations and government agencies all dedicated to assisting men and women in their life after military service.
Coy Gibson of the Veterans of Foreign Wars told WSB-TV that "If you haven't started into it (the process of claiming benefits), this is tremendous." Veterans walking into the benefits supermarket weren't guaranteed to leave with a job or any other kind of immediate help, but they did find valuable information and resources were made available to them.
"Athens is excited to have an event like this taking place for our community," said Athens Mayor Nancy Denson in a statement. "We need to take care of our veterans now more than ever and Athens is ready to show our appreciation for the men and women who have given us so much already."
The Department of Veterans Services expected veterans and their family members to be drawn to the supermarket from far beyond Athens' border. They were right. Veterans from all over the state showed up on Wednesday, eager to utilize the event's one-stop-shop format. Many learned that they weren't using military benefits they were entitled to, while others just enjoyed being around other veterans again and the sense of community that creates.