North San Antonio-based nonprofit Operation Homefront aids military members, families

Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit with headquarters near Hill Country Village and in Virginia, announced Sept. 23 a new initiative, the United We Stand Million Dollar Match, sponsored by the Bob and Dolores Hope Foundation.

Operation Homefront’s mission is to help build secure and stable military families, and foundation President and CEO Tony Montalto said this generation of military families needs help now more than ever.

Operation Homefront officials said 1.5 million veterans live below the poverty line; 4 million veterans are burdened with housing costs; and 20% of veterans and military families are coping with food insecurity.

Karen Smithhart, senior vice president of human resources, said Operation Homefront has come a long way since its launch in 2002 in Schertz.

Operation Homefront has 126 employees with more than 50 staffers based at its North San Antonio office, Smithhart said.

Smithhart said Operation Homefront offers financial aid, housing for military members transitioning out of active-duty status, permanent housing, caregiver support and other services designed to help military families overcome short-term obstacles.

“Our mission is to be a provider for short-term critical financial assistance and long-term stability,” she said.

In the last two to three years, Operation Homefront has seen an uptick in requests for financial and housing help, Smithhart said.

“It’s about financial stability. A lot of military members are living paycheck to paycheck. A lot of them can’t find affordable housing,” she said.