An event for veterans and their families will be held later this month in St. Joseph.

Vet2Vet will be held at Parkway Christian Fellowship Church, 3004 Pickett Rd., on Saturday May 21st from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for Armed Forces Day.

The Vet2Vet event will include a meet and greet for veterans to connect with service agencies, health benefits, educational and employment opportunities, grants and more.

Col. Edward E. Black, Vice Commander of the 139th Airlift Wing, and, Missouri Western ROTC Vader, Dallas Thomas, will speak on “Gratitude towards Veterans.”

There is no charge to either participate as a vendor or attend the event as a guest. Any business or organization that would like to reach out to the veteran population is welcome to showcase their product/services at no charge.

In addition, there will be a bouncy house, face paintings, music by DJ’s, free haircuts, displays of military and emergency equipment and food.

The organization said donations are being collected.  Things like unscented body lotions, hair brushes and combs, deodorant, shaving cream, nail clippers, quad track razors, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner, new underwear and socks, basic cleaning supplies, and non-perishable food items. All items will be distributed to veteran families.

Items can be dropped off prior to the event at various locales around St. Joseph. Drop off locations are: Salvation Army office, St. Joseph Youth Alliance, Meierhoffer Funeral Home and Crematory, Missouri Western State University, the St. Joseph Community-Based Outpatient Clinic, Apple Market locations on Pear Street and Frederick and Belt and Anderson Ford and KIA.