History
Founded in 2013
The Freedom Foundation was formed by a group of local military veterans who saw the need for a "Veterans Helping Veterans" approach to navigating the challenges of everyday life after serving our country. Our organization has now expanded to veterans and civilians working together to make a difference in the lives of those who have served.
The Freedom Foundation is a grassroots 501(c)3 Non-Profit Veterans Service and Support Organization. Our Veteran's Center is located at 4001 Center Point Road NE in Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402. We offer numerous amenities for our Veterans, including a pool table, a shuffleboard, two big screen TVs, a computer, a poker table, and a large conference table where our Veterans enjoy coffee, snacks, and other refreshments reveling in the camaraderie of their fellow Veterans. During nice weather, Veterans will enjoy outdoor seating and outdoor recreational games.
The Freedom Foundation provides numerous programs and services to our Veterans. These programs and services include a Pantry, recreational activities, the operation of the "Veterans Temporary Housing/Shelter Program" for our homeless and displaced Veterans, a Veterans Emergency Financial Assistance Fund, and our hosting of a free weekly Thursday luncheon, serving our Veterans a well-deserved "home cooked meal." Please stop by for a visit and inform any Veteran about our Veterans Center and the programs and services we offer.
Veterans Outreach
Veterans Served in 2022:
- 6,514 - Number of Veterans/Individuals (Includes Veterans and Family Members/Guests) visiting the Freedom Foundation's Veteran's Center
Food Pantry:
- 40,453 - Pounds of food, personal care items, and household items handed out
- 1,902 - Number of Veterans served in the pantry
- 94 - Brand new Veterans added to our pantry list
Meals Provided:
- 3445 - Number of Veteran Meals served at the "Thursday Veteran's Weekly Lunch Program."
- 17 - lunches prepared and served by 11 individual companies (some multiple times) and 2 friends/family to give our regular volunteers a break.
Volunteer Hours:
- 195 - individual volunteers
- 6,512 - Number of Volunteer Hours Donated
Emergency Financial Assistance
- 26 - Number of Veterans saved from Immediate Tenant Eviction with Emergency Rental Assistance Funds
- 6 - Number of Veterans who received Emergency Utility Assistance Funds
- 7 - Number of Veterans who received Emergency Auto Assistance
- 21 - Number of Veterans assisted financially in various ways
- 5 - Number of Veterans and Family Members who received Housing/Shelter Service
- 27- Number of Veterans receiving Gift Cards to assist with gas
Board of Directors
Pictured left to right
Back row: Matt Dlouhy, Roger Jensen, Scott Friauf, Alicia Faust, Chris Wheeler, and John "Odie" Oates
Front Row: Jim Neal, Amanda Brant, Brian Eschen, Lexi Coberly (Executive Director), Derrick Claye, and Rob Klein
