Annual event brings services for veterans in need

The annual StandDown event to aid veterans will be held this week, hosted by the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans.

The two-day event brings together services such as legal and housing assistance, tax help and haircuts. The event takes place Tuesday and Wednesday, Aug. 2 and 3, at the Boy Scout Base Camp, 201 Bloomington Road, Fort Snelling.

About 700 veterans to are expected to attend, said Nathaniel Saltz of the Assistance Council.

"Being able to come to one place and get everything in one day — from food and haircuts to legal assistance, to onsite acupuncture — is just a huge advantage," Saltz said.

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All veterans are welcome to obtain assistance, but the Assistance Council wants to especially reach out to homeless veterans. Saltz said more than 4,000 veterans in Minnesota experience an episode of homelessness each year.

The council's Nathaniel Saltz says his organization welcomes all veterans, but is especially targeting the homeless.

"These efforts are focused on veterans helping veterans; veterans getting connected with veteran-specific services," Saltz said.

Additional StandDown events are scheduled for late August and September in Duluth and Bemidji.