Supporting Our Local Heroes: Inside the VOW Veterans Marketplace

Supporting Our Local Heroes: Inside the VOW Veterans Marketplace

At Veterans Outreach of Wisconsin, our mission is built on restoring dignity, stability, and respect to those who have served. While our James A. Peterson Veteran Village provides transitional tiny homes, another vital pillar of our work takes place right next door at 1609 Yout Street in Racine: The VOW Veterans Marketplace.

Designed like a traditional grocery pantry, the Veterans Marketplace provides essential support to local military households facing food insecurity or high living costs. Here is a closer look at how the Marketplace works, who can use it, and how community members can help keep our shelves fully stocked.

What Is the Veterans Marketplace?

The Marketplace allows veterans and surviving spouses to select their own groceries and household essentials free of charge. Operating with a focus on dignity, the pantry provides a wide variety of daily necessities, including:

  • Fresh Meats & Dairy: Generously supported by local business drives, partner bakeries, and community donors.
  • Pantry Staples: Canned goods, boxed meals, breakfast items, and coffee.
  • Household & Personal Hygiene Products: Full-sized toiletries, paper products, and cleaning supplies.

Who Is Eligible & How to Register

The Veterans Marketplace serves all military veterans and surviving spouses of veterans across Wisconsin.

How to Register:

Registration is quick and handled directly on-site. First-time visitors can stop by during standard shopping hours and bring one of the following forms of identification:

  • A DD214
  • A VA Healthcare Card
  • A Driver’s License with "Veteran" designation

Once registered, qualifying households are welcome to shop at the Marketplace once per week.

Marketplace Shopping Hours:
  • Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Wednesday: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday: 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM

How You Can Help: Current Donation Needs

Because VOW relies heavily on community donations, local food drives, and partner organizations, community support directly determines what is available on our shelves each week.

If you are looking to drop off items or organize a collection drive, please review our updated needs list below:

Most Needed Pantry Items:
  • Proteins & Canned Goods: Ground coffee, canned chili, Chef Boyardee, Campbell’s Chunky soups, tuna, and canned meats.
  • Quick Meals & Sides: Microwaveable rice bags, boxed meals (Rice-A-Roni, Hamburger Helper, Suddenly Salad), pasta sauce, and beans (note: please no black beans or garbanzo beans).
  • Breakfast & Staples: Canned fruit (all varieties), pancake syrup, jelly, and jam.
  • Condiments: Ketchup, mustard, mayo, BBQ sauce, and salad dressings.
  • Perishables: Fresh dairy products and any frozen/fresh meats.
Most Needed Household Essentials:
  • Hygiene: Full-sized toiletries (shampoo, body wash, deodorant, razors).
  • Paper Goods: Toilet paper and paper towels.
  • Cleaning & Laundry: Dish soap, laundry detergent, and dryer sheets.
  • Linens: Brand-new bath towels and new bed sheet sets.

Drop-Off Locations

How to Drop Off Donations:
  • During Business Hours: Physical donations can be delivered directly to the Veterans Marketplace at 1609 Yout Street during regular office hours (Monday–Thursday 8 AM–4 PM, Friday 8 AM–12 PM).
  • After-Hours Non-Perishables: An after-hours collection bin is located on the west side of the building next to the pantry warehouse for non-perishable food items.
  • Organizing a Food Drive? Groups or businesses interested in hosting a donation drive for the Marketplace can contact our Marketplace Director directly at 262-800-1309.

Items We CANNOT Accept:

Due to severe storage limitations and health guidelines, we ask that donors please do not bring the following items:

  • Furniture or household appliances
  • Used clothing or used bedding
  • Travel-sized toiletries or loose toothbrushes
  • Trinkets, knick-knacks, or decor

Together, we can ensure no veteran in our community goes without the basic necessities of life. Thank you to all the local businesses, organizations, and neighbors who continue to stand behind Wisconsin's heroes!

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