Tractor Supply Donation Helps VFW Support Local Veterans for Holidays

GAINESVILLE – A timely donation Nov. 1, 2025, will help Alachua County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2811 feed former servicemembers and their families this upcoming holiday season. As part of its annual National Hometown Heroes Day to honor the military, veterans and first responders, Tractor Supply Co. of Gainesville presented a $250 check to VFW Post 2811 Commander Jason R. Sanford.

That money, said VFW Post 2811 Quartermaster Avery Owen, is needed to buy and stock more items at the unit’s food pantry, as well as to purchase meals to be prepared by the post and its auxiliary.

“Over the next few weeks, we’re going to have Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s,” said Owen, a retired master sergeant with the 3rd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group of the Florida Army National Guard. “We typically use a donation like this to leverage more money available through other grant programs to make the holidays better for veterans and their families who are in need.”

 In addition to cash donations, VFW Post 2811 accepts nonperishable and canned food items at the unit’s home on 1150 N.E. Waldo Road in Gainesville throughout the year.  A large 55-gallon receptacle located in the post’s main hall holds the food until it can be distributed.

“We’re currently participating in a grant program where the food we collect can be matched pound-for-pound,” Owen said. “We’ve been doing this for years, and have learned to be very creative.”

Owen said that part of Tractor Supply Co.’s donation will also be used for soldiers and family members of the 257^th Transportation Battalion, 399^th Movement Control Team. The local unit recently participated in a deployment to the Middle East, and VFW Post 2811 intends to prepare food for them during a Christmas party Dec. 8.

“That’s what this organization and this post have always been about,” said Commander Sanford, who earned the Bronze Star Medal during his 22 years of service with the Navy, Air Force and Army. “We have much of the same camaraderie as we did when we were deployed, but our mission is different. We’re now directing our efforts to helping our fellow veterans.”

In addition to food, the post also collects books. These are donated to the Malcom Randall Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center on Southwest Archer Road, Gainesville.

“We’re mindful that a few of our comrades may have to spend some of the holidays away from family members in a hospital room,” said Sanford. “Over the last few years, one of our post members, Richard Reedy, has spearheaded a book drive. We gather the books here at the post, sort them and drive them down to the hospital. We’re hoping to get that done this year by Thanksgiving.”

The donation from Tractor Supply Co. is part of a million-dollar effort by the organization’s corporate foundation to honor military, veteran and first responder groups at approximately 2,300 stores across the United States.

The post is always accepting of donations and the efforts of those who are eager to help veterans and their family members. Those interested in VFW Post 2811 and its activities can call 352-376-7660.

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Michael P. Mauer is a life member of VFW Post 2811. He served as an Army photojournalist during Operation Desert Storm, and was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal by Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf for his actions during the war. This past year, Mauer won the Silver Award for top feature article in the VFW National Publications Contest.

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