Veteran Resources
Veterans
Content added March 10, 2025
All branches of Daniel Boone Regional Library now offer free gun locks — no questions asked, no library card required. The locks can be requested at the front desk of each branch.
Truman Veterans’ Hospital provides the cable gun locks. In addition to promoting general weapon safety, the locks are part of the hospital’s program to prevent and reduce the risk of veteran suicide. The hospital continues to supply the locks to the library as needed.
Printed on each gun lock is the logo and contact for the Veterans Crisis Line, a crisis hotline for veterans and their loved ones. The locks also come with instructions on how to use them, two keys and information on recognizing the signs of suicide risk and the phone number for the Veterans Crisis Line.
Columbia Public Library
100 W. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65203
(573) 443-3161
Callaway County Public Library
710 Court St., Fulton, MO 65251
(573) 642-7261
Holts Summit Public Library
188 W. Simon Blvd., Holts Summit, MO 65043
(573) 606-8770
Southern Boone County Public Library
109 N. Main St., Ashland, MO 65010
(573) 657-7378
Content added Feb. 5, 2025
Cars 4 Heroes is a registered nonprofit that provides free vehicles to veterans, active-duty military, first responders, and their families if they do not have the means to obtain their own. They’ve also added an option for civilians and first responders to apply.
Those interested in applying for a free car from Cars 4 Heroes can do so on the website. Required information on the application includes:
· Name and contact
· Military status and service (if applicable)
· Honors and discharge
· Military ID photo
· Details about need
The application form also asks questions like:
· “How would a vehicle change the recipient's life? Why does the recipient need a vehicle?”
· “How many people does the vehicle need to accommodate?”
· “Number of children in need of a car seat
Content updated April 18, 2024
The mission of Helping Hands Southern Boone is to unite families in need with resources and donations in the spirit of God’s love.
Helping Hands Free Store
113 E. Broadway
Ashland, MO 65010
(573) 356-1174
Email: helpinghandssoboco@gmail.com
Mondays 2:00-4:00 PM
Tuesdays 2:00-4:00 PM
Wednesdays 5:30-7:30 PM
Thursdays 5:30-7:30 PM
(CLOSED second Thursday of the month)
2nd & 4th Saturdays Each Month 9 AM - 12 PM
Content updated March 21, 2024
Do you need to apply for a new or replacement Social Security card? If so, you may be able to complete, or at least start, their application online.
When you visit our Social Security number & card webpage, you can answer a series of questions that will determine whether you can:
Complete the application process online.
Start the application process online, then bring any required documents to their local Social Security office or card center to complete the application.
Complete the application process at their local office.
Content updated May 19, 2025
This resource guide covers CMCA's 8 county service area: Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Cole, Cooper, Howard, Moniteau and Osage. It also covers the three additional counties we provide Head Start for: Benton, Hickory, and Morgan. It's a comprehensive guide that includes any and all resources available to help lower income individuals and families in need. The resources and information listed in the guide have been compiled by other groups and agencies in our 8 county service area over the years, and most notably in Boone County by the Voluntary Action Center.
Email: pr@cmca.us
Content updated July 26, 2024
Clients visiting local Social Security offices can check-in from their mobile device using our new feature, Mobile Check-In Express. To use Mobile Check-In Express, your clients can scan the QR code located at the local Social Security office they’re visiting. This will allow your clients to check in for both scheduled appointments and non-scheduled visits.
Veterans, Military
Content updated Oct. 3, 2025
Fisher House provides free, temporary lodging for families of veterans receiving hospital care.
House Address: 800 Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65201 (On site with Truman VA Hospital.)
House Phone: 573-814-6000
Hours: 24/7
Veterans
Content added Nov. 5, 2024
The Show Me Home Program is a new legal service being provided through the University of Missouri School of Law Veterans Legal Clinic. The Show Me Home Program will focus on Discharge upgrades, Character of Service upgrades, and Service Connection claims/appeals. Brochure.
If you learn of a Veteran who could benefit from the Show Me Home Program, please contact Eugene O’Loughlin at 573-882-2502, eugeneologhlin@missouri.edu, or Andy Rogers at 573-882-1572, alw394@missouri.edu, to be screened for eligibility.
Content updated Nov. 5, 2024
Information on Career Opportunities
Department of Labor Certified Diesel Technician Apprenticeship Program
Opportunities for Advancement
Ongoing Training
Content updated Nov. 5, 2024
Compensated Work Therapy (CWT) is a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clinical vocational rehabilitation program that provides evidence based and evidence informed vocational rehabilitation services; partnerships with business, industry and government agencies to provide Veteran candidates for employment and Veteran labor, and employment supports to Veterans and employers. CWT programs are located within all VA medical centers.
800 Hospital Drive, 2nd Floor, Room A207
Columbia, MO 65201-5297
573-814-6486
Veterans Housing
Content updated July 3, 2024
Provides permanent housing to homeless Veterans participating in the HUD-VASH Program. Homeless Veterans are referred to the Patriot Place Apartments through the Truman VA Hospital.
2112 Business Loop 70 E
Columbia, MO 65202
573-443-2556
Visit website
Content updated May 28, 2025
Feeding America had staffing changes, and they are not helping with food stamp applications right now. They will direct clients back to the Food Bank. Here is the form anyone can fill out to have a Food Bank employee reach out to help someone apply via phone: SNAP Support • The Food Bank For Central & Northeast Missouri
Central Pantry is now located at 705 Business Loop 70W. If you live or work in Boone County and are in need of food assistance, you are welcome to visit Central Pantry. Our intake process is entirely self-declared, so no paperwork is required, just bring yourself to enroll at Central Pantry. A form of ID helps intake move quicker and the names and birthdates of other households written on a piece of paper help, but none are necessary.
Tuesday - Friday, 10 am - 4pm
Saturday, 10am - 2pm
705 Business Loop 70W
Columbia, MO 65201
573-874-7848
Content updated Aug. 12, 2025
CFPB protects consumers from unfair, deceptive, or abusive practices and take action against companies that break the law. They provide information, steps, and tools to make smart financial decisions.
Services for veterans CFPB can help active military personnel and veterans navigate financial challenges unique to military life. Help spans the entire military lifecycle and includes areas such as home buying, debt management, goal setting, protecting your finances, filing complaints concerning financial institutions, and more.
Content updated Nov. 5, 2024
Pat Rowe Kerr has a wealth of information and will advise regarding veteran benefits. Call before 9:00 am or after 4:00 pm (emergency calls anytime)
Pat - 573-462-9831
The Veterans Health Administration is America’s largest integrated health care system, providing care at 1,321 health care facilities, including 172 medical centers and 1,138 outpatient sites of care of varying complexity (VHA outpatient clinics), serving 9 million enrolled Veterans each year.
800-698-2411 (800-MyVA411) - Hours: 24/7. If you need an interpreter: Call 800-698-2411 and select 0. We’ll connect you with a VA call center agent. Tell the agent that you want a language interpreter to join the call.
TTY - 711 - Hours: 24/7
Content updated Nov. 5, 2024
Hires primarily veterans and workers with disabilities who have business experience and education to work from home and on a schedule that accommodates their needs.
Content updated Nov. 5, 2024
The Truman Veterans Hospital provides primary care and specialty health services, including audiology and speech, mental health care, cardiology, surgery, dentistry and oral surgery, neurology, orthopedics, and more.
800 Hospital Drive
Columbia, MO 65201
573-814-6648
Veterans
Content updated Nov. 5, 2024
Veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness—and their family members, friends and supporters—can make the free call to or chat online with the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans, where trained counselors are ready to talk confidentially 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Veterans Only
Content updated June 18, 2025
Vet Center services are available at no cost, regardless of discharge character, and without you needing to be enrolled in VA health care or having a service-connected disability. If you’re a Veteran or service member, including members of the National Guard and Reserve, you can access our services
2475 Broadway Bluffs Drive, Suite 40
Columbia, MO
573-814-6206
Hours
Mon. 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Tue. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Wed. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Thu. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Fri. 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Sat. Closed
Sun. Closed
Sober Living
Content updated April 30, 2024
Provides treatment for those seeking recovery from drug and alcohol addiction. Visit website for office hours and clinic hours.
90 E Leslie Ln
Columbia, MO 65202
573-615-1466
Content updated Nov. 7, 2024
The Missouri Veterans Commission is a State agency established by Missouri Statute to aid all Veterans, their dependents, and legal representatives (at no cost for services), by providing information regarding the rights of Veterans and their dependents and to assist Veterans with accessing their available benefits through State and Federal Government. Visit our Benefits/Resource Portal: https://veteranbenefits.mo.gov/.
601 Business Loop 70 W
Suite 214A
Columbia, MO 65203
573-882-5135
Veterans and veterans’ families
Content updated June 25, 2025
More than just a shelter, Welcome Home provides 32 transitional housing rooms, with 34 beds, for homeless Veterans and families, including a separate corridor for female Veterans. It is located is located on Columbia’s Veterans Campus where they serve all homeless veterans, not just those from Columbia. Call for an interview.
Multiple resources:
Emergency and Transitional Shelter for qualifying literally Homeless Veterans.
Rapid Re-Housing and Homelessness Prevention for qualifying Literally and Imminently Homeless Veterans and their households.
Employment services available for Shelter or RRH & HP participants.
Healthcare Navigation services for RRH & HP Program Participants.
2120 Business Loop 70 E
Columbia, MO 65201
Email: info@welcomeveterans.org
573-443-8001
Veterans
Content updated Sept. 26, 2025
Are you a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one? You're not alone—the Veterans Crisis Line is here for you. You don't have to be enrolled in VA benefits or health care to call.
U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs
Phone: 988 then press 1
Text: 838255
Live Chat: veteranscrisisline.net
Veterans
Content added May 17, 2025
We are able to advise veterans on GI Bill benefits that they may be eligible for and explain the application process.
MU Veterans Center (University of Missouri)
Memorial Union (Lower-level N-5)
516 Hitt Street
Columbia, Missouri 65211
Monday through Friday 9 am to 4 pm. If possible, please call to make an appointment.
(573) 884-4383
Email: veterans@missouri.edu
Visit website