A free event to provide one-stop resources to vulnerable residents will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday at the Black River Coliseum.
The eighth annual Community Outreach Day will include educational sessions on nutrition and home winterization, health and dental check ups, food and clothing pantries, haircuts and much more.
"This event is important because it brings all of the resources together. Too many times, families have difficulties getting to the resources because they're scattered across town," explained Jennifer Lay of John J. Pershing VA Medical Center.
This event is coordinated by the Butler County Coalition to End Homelessness, of which the VA is a member. The outreach day is sponsored in part by The Wake Foundation, a non-profit organization which helps veterans.
"This event brings together agencies from the community that can assist the homeless or those at risk of being homeless," said Lay.
Bluff Area Transit Service, or BATS, is offering free transportation to the event. Individuals will need to call BATS at 573-785-2928 to set up the rides.
Lunch will be served by United Gospel Rescue Mission.
Throughout the event, classes on nutrition, winterization and stretching a holiday budget will be offered.
The 30-minute nutrition classes will discuss healthy eating and teach two recipes participants can prepare at home. A food kit with all of the ingredients to prepare one of the recipes will be provided to those who complete the nutrition class and one other breakout session.
The VA's Brianna Riggins and Albertina Henry of the University of Missouri Extension office have partnered to teach the nutrition classes.
Nursing students from Three Rivers College will provide health information, including blood pressure checks. Missouri Highlands Health Care of Ellington, Mo., will provide dental check ups.
Haircuts will be provided by Poplar Bluff Cosmetology School.
Information on veterans services will also be available during the day, including VA programs and educational benefits.