TAMPA, FL., Dec. 6, 2012 — To assist homeless veterans across Florida, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® locations throughout the state, including New Port Richey, Palm Harbor and Tampa, recently introduced the Movers for Military program. Working with more than 50 schools from Pensacola to Miami, the moving company collected approximately 15,000 essential items to donate to organizations supporting veterans in crisis.

While making tremendous sacrifices to protect our freedoms, many veterans across the country are struggling with unemployment and homelessness, relying on others to come to their aid as they once did for their country. With the introduction of Movers for Military, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® hopes to support those who gave of themselves. 

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimates that approximately 67,000 veterans are homeless on any given night. Meanwhile, 1.5 million more are considered at risk of homelessness due to poverty or lack of support according to the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. In Florida alone, as many as 19,000 veterans are homeless at some point throughout the year. 

Schools across Florida, including Carrollwood Day School, Countryside Montessori Charter School, Creative Times Academy, Excel Learning Center and La Petite Academy, joined more than 20 TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® franchise locations in collecting items such as food, clothing, soap and toiletries, for donation to local organizations providing critical assistance to veterans. In the Tampa area, Movers for Military collected items for the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital (JAHVH) Fisher House and Volunteers of America of Florida--an organization recognized for its devoted and outstanding contributions to homeless veterans. With twelve locations serving veterans from Pensacola to Key West, Volunteers of America of Florida has helped Florida’s veterans successfully manage the transition from the armed services to civilian life for over 16 years.

Kathy Spearman, Volunteers of America of Florida President and CEO said, “We were thrilled to be a part of the Movers for Military program and look forward to a long-lasting partnership with TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®.  The veterans sincerely appreciated the good will and the donations.”

This was the first year of Movers for Military and as a result of the program’s overwhelming success, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® expects to run the collection annually to raise awareness of the struggles many veterans face, while offering vital aid to those who require it.

Anyone interested in joining Movers for Military efforts in 2013 should contact their local TWO MEN AND A TRUCK®. Visit www.twomenatruck.com for the nearest location.

With 230 locations, TWO MEN AND A TRUCK® is the largest franchised moving company in North America.