The Boise Rescue Mission hosted its second annual Veterans Luncheon on Friday.

Current and past guests of the Mission’s Veterans Ministry Program were honored by Idaho dignitaries including Supreme Court Justice Daniel T. Eismann, General Alan C. Gayhart, and Boise Police Chief Mike Masterson.

Each veteran enjoyed a lunch catered by Sodexo of Wells Fargo, a food box from Boise Rescue Mission, and backpacks filled with winter gear provided by Boise Local 650 American Postal Workers Union.

One out of every three homeless men living on the streets is a veteran. Many are dealing with substance abuse, disability, or mental illness caused by the trauma suffered during war, said Mission officials.

Boise Rescue Mission Ministries has a special program for homeless veterans referred by the VA hospital. The Mission program provides stable housing, meal services, spiritual guidance and extended health care after vets leave the hospital.

Boise Rescue Mission has successfully transitioned 29 veteran men out of homelessness into independent living through this program.

For more information, please contact Kristen Ransom at (208)559-2475 or KristenR@boiserm.org