As we told you last week, members of the Mahoning County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 2 are handing out $5,000 in gift cards for the holidays. 

While some gift cards were handed out to veterans before Thanksgiving, around 100 are left.

“We didn’t get the word out in time. Since then we put flyers up at Sparkle, here, and a couple other places because we have almost 100 cards left. And we figured it would help out with Christmas now,” said Robert Cooper, treasurer and fundraising chair for the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 2.

When the DAV gave out gift cards for the holidays in the past, veterans in the area showed their appreciation.

“We did have a gentleman when we did this a couple weeks ago, said if it wasn't for this, I wouldn't be eating today,” said Cooper. 

Each Sparkle gift card is worth $50, and is meant to help veterans struggling with the cost of groceries.

“The important part of this is because of the cost. And one of the things we don't get compensated for, as civilians or as veterans, is the food cost,” said Dale Baringer, Mahoning County Veterans Service Commissioner.

The DAV gave out gift cards earlier this month, but wanted to reach out to more veterans before Christmas. 

Part of the reason the group is able to give gift cards to veterans each year is because of community support.

“I know things are tough out there, but they really do donate to us. Whether it's because we're disabled veterans, or whether it's because our word has gotten out of what we do, I don't really know, but the public here has been overwhelmingly generous,” said Baringer.

The gift cards are usually given out around the holidays, but veterans needing help can reach out to the DAV any time of the year.

“We do this year long actually. If somebody calls us and says that they don't have any food. We're allowed to spend $200 and just get a gift card and give them groceries,” said Cooper.

Any veteran interested in getting a gift card will need to go to the Cornersburg Sparkle Market December 1 at 10:00 a.m.

Veterans will need to bring their veteran ID, or a copy of their discharge papers. The gift cards are first come first serve.