Transitioning from military to civilian life can be a major shift for some, or less for others. It depends on a lot of nuances and factors that make it a unique experience for each person. Some veterans transition with ease, while others don’t have a solid place to land, and there are those in between. No matter the situation, having access to basic essentials, whether it’s a reliable meal or some new clothes, relieves immediate stress so veterans can focus on their bigger goals. Veterans Outreach Center’s Quartermaster program offers free food, clothing, and select hygiene items at no cost to local veterans.

For Veterans

Our Quartermaster is a completely free, on-site hub offering food, clothing, and vital hygiene items to veterans and their families. It’s located at VOC’s main office at 447 South Ave., Rochester, NY, 14620 and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Here’s how the process works:

1. Call VOC at 585.546.1081 to schedule an appointment (preferred) or walk-ins are welcome.
   
   
2. If it’s your first time at VOC, you’ll meet with one of our Care Managers for a quick conversation about your needs and to see if you could benefit from any of our other no-cost programs or services.
   
   
3. From there, you’ll have access to our selection of food, clothing, and hygiene items.

For Community Members

Our Quartermaster runs on the generosity of our community through both your financial support and your donations of food, clothing, and hygiene supplies. Here are a few guidelines for donating items, and please note the items we don’t accept:

To Make a Donation

1. Check the Quartermaster page on our website to see which items we don’t accept or are currently at maximum capacity.
   
   
2. Call us at 585.546.1081 and speak with a VOC team member about the items you’d like to donate.
   
   
3. Once we confirm that we can accept your items, we’ll schedule a time for you to drop them off.

Most Needed Food Items

• Canned Soups (pop-top lid)
• Canned & Non-perishable Ready to Eat meals
• Canned Fruits & Vegetables
• Canned Meats
• Canned Fish
• Protein Bars
• Pasta (all kinds)
• Rice
• Peanut Butter

Most Needed Clothing Items

Preferably brand new or in excellent condition. Please check our website to see if we are at maximum capacity on any clothing items as they change semi-frequently.

• Men’s Underwear (Brand new only)
• Men’s Casual Shoes
• Men’s Casual Pants
• Men’s Jeans
• Men’s Shorts
• Men’s T-Shirts
• Men’s Polos
• Men’s and women’s deodorant
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Bar soap
• 3-in-1 Men’s Body Wash
• Lotion
• Toothpaste
• Razors
• Shaving cream

Items We Don’t Accept

We are incredibly grateful for every offer of support; however, due to a lack of storage and the varying specific needs of our veterans, we don’t accept the following items:

• Appliances
• Furniture
• Home décor
• Dishes/glassware/cookware
• Home exercise equipment
• Tools
• Wheelchairs, hospital beds, and medical supplies/equipment
• Sports equipment
• Washed/used undergarments (socks, underwear, white t-shirts, etc.)
• Used bathing suits
• Used and washed blankets, sheets, and pillows

We regularly send specific donation requests via email. Click here to join our mail list.

One Mission, Two Ways to Act

Whether you want to receive support or provide it, you are a vital part of our mission. Click here to learn more about our Quartermaster or any of our other no-cost services.