UPDATE: In an extraordinary community effort, the Valley Vets in Conyngham has just filled 75 backpacks with essential supplies for homeless veterans. This initiative, completed on October 24, 2025, aims to provide immediate relief and support to those who served our country and are now facing homelessness.
Members of the Valley Vets and their auxiliary gathered to stuff the packs with warm clothing, hygiene products, and snacks, all destined for the FSB Initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to helping homeless veterans. The response from the community was overwhelming, exceeding initial expectations to support 50 backpacks.
Cheryl Thomas, president of the Valley Vets auxiliary, expressed gratitude for the outpouring of donations from veterans, local residents, churches, and businesses. Items collected included thermal underwear, gloves, and hand warmers. “It seemed to be quite a large project and almost impossible to achieve, but like our veterans, we didn’t quit,” Thomas stated.
The initiative gained momentum after the Valley Vets reached out for support in July, and the community responded with incredible generosity. Donations poured in following letters sent to local businesses in August, with contributors including Amazon, American Eagle, and Wegman’s.
The backpacks will be distributed through the FSB Initiative, founded by Chaz Kraynak, a veteran who experienced homelessness himself. “We started going into the woods and camps to find the homeless veterans,” Kraynak explained. The nonprofit operates in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and has outreach teams in Florida and Tennessee.
Approximately 23% of homeless individuals are veterans, and Kraynak’s organization aims to connect them with local Veteran’s Affairs Medical Centers for essential medical and mental health services. “If a homeless veteran agrees to go to the VA, they will receive screenings and support for addiction or PTSD,” he added.
This urgent initiative is not just about providing supplies; it’s about facilitating a pathway out of homelessness. The FSB Initiative has successfully transitioned 250 veterans off the streets since its inception in 2019. Kraynak mentioned that the backpacks could typically last two months, but demand spikes during the holiday season.
For those who refuse VA assistance, the FSB Initiative ensures that veterans receive clothing and hygiene items but does not provide sleeping bags or tents to discourage prolonged street living. “We’ll make them comfortable, but not so comfortable that they say, ‘I can make it through the winter,’” Kraynak emphasized.
In partnership with Camp Orchard Hill, which offers a holiday home for homeless men from December 15 to 22, the FSB Initiative works to provide meals and essential items to those in need. Jim Payne, director of the camp, praised the initiative, stating, “I have personally witnessed them help veterans get off the street and immediately into housing.”
The Valley Vets’ commitment to helping homeless veterans exemplifies community spirit and compassion. As the need for support continues to grow, the FSB Initiative welcomes donations and volunteers to further its cause. For more information, visit their website at fsbinc.org.
This urgent effort serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by our veterans, and the community’s response illustrates the power of collective action. Every contribution counts in the fight to provide a safe and stable environment for those who have given so much for our country.
