Stand Down for Homeless Veterans Returns to Panama City September 17 |
Connecting Bay County veterans with housing assistance, health services, benefits, employment resources and community support—all in one place. |
Veterans experiencing homelessness or facing the possibility of losing stable housing will have an opportunity to connect with important resources during the 19th Annual Homeless Veterans Stand Down in Panama City.
The event will be held Thursday, September 17, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Central Panhandle Fair in Bay County, located at 2230 E. 15th Street in Panama City. The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs lists the event as a partnership involving the VA and the Bay County Veterans Council.
A Helping Hand for Veterans in Need
A Veterans Stand Down is designed to bring multiple services together in one convenient location so veterans do not have to navigate a complicated network of agencies on their own. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Stand Down events across the country commonly provide food, clothing, health screenings, benefits assistance and referrals for housing, employment, mental health care and other services.
Panama City has a long history of holding these events for local veterans. In previous years, the community's Homeless Veterans Stand Down has brought together dozens of agencies and organizations offering services such as breakfast and lunch, haircuts, medical and dental screenings, vision and mental health resources, housing assistance, VA benefits information, employment help, clothing, toiletries, food and other essential supplies.
The exact lineup of services available at the 2026 event may vary, but the goal remains the same: connecting veterans with the people and programs that can help them move toward greater stability and independence.
More Than a Resource Fair
The term “Stand Down” has its roots in the military. During the Vietnam War, troops were periodically moved away from combat areas to secure locations where they could receive meals, medical attention, clean clothing and a chance to rest and reconnect with fellow service members. Today's Stand Down events carry that same spirit of providing veterans with a safe place to regroup and receive assistance.
For Bay County, the event also demonstrates the role local agencies, veterans organizations and volunteers can play when they work together to support those who served.
Stand Down for Homeless Veterans Event Details
19th Annual Homeless Veterans Stand DownThursday, September 17, 2026
The Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs lists Karen Azzaro at (850) 532-9697 as the point of contact for additional event information.
For veterans experiencing homelessness, or those who may be just one setback away from it—the Stand Down can be an important first connection to housing, health care, employment assistance and other support. Bay County residents can also help by sharing information about the event so it reaches veterans who may need it most.
|
Spotlight Sponsor |
FINTITAN |
| ★★★★★ |
FICA Tax Tip Credits for Restaurant Owners |
|
|
📺 Panama City Spotlight YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@PanamaCitySpotlight
🎬 YouTube Playlists https://www.youtube.com/@PanamaCitySpotlight/playlists
👍 Like and Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PanamaCitySpotlight
👥 Join our Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/PanamaCitySpotlight
🍴 Panhandle Fork - Like and Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PanhandleFork
🍴 Panhandle Fork - Join our Facebook Group: |
50 Comments
Join the conversation
I’ll tell folks at my church about it, thanks for info
It’s sad more vets need this but at least the help is there
Bay County does a good job stepping up for vets
just wish it wasn’t needed at all in 2026
Will they have haircuts again? That was a big hit last time
sharing the info with my son’s VFW post
Hope they have extra supplies, it gets a big turnout
I hope there’s appointments for dental this year again
impressed it’s the 19th year running, must really help
thanks to all veterans and everyone helping out
i went to something like this with my dad years ago, great people
does the va actually send enough folks or is it all volunteers?
how do we donate clothes or supplies for this?
my uncle was homeless and these events helped him get back up
wish it went longer than just the morning!
I served with guys who live on the street now. These things matter
i saw this posted at the VFW, will spread the word
the bay county fairgrounds is easy to get to on the bus for folks without cars
breakfast and a haircut, sometimes that’s a fresh start
do you have to show any special ID for vets to get help?
praying all vets that need help hear about this event
wish they’d add pet care for those with animals too
I like that it covers mental health, vets need that
I’ll be there with a box of toiletry kits for the giveaway
vet services are too complicated these days. Glad this groups it all up
events like this saved my cousin from living in his car
is Karen Azzaro still the main person for this?
karen azzaro is awesome, she really cares
Good to see Bay County looking out for the folks who served
i think they should run these events out at beach too
what kind of employment help do they give?
my stepdad got his teeth checked at the one last year. It helped him a lot
19th year, wow. That’s a long time for this event
Thank you to all the volunteers making this happen
I can give rides if anyone needs one to the Stand Down
wish the government did more so vets didn’t end up homeless in the first place
do they take donations for stuff like socks and jackets?
they should do these more than once a year
don’t forget it’s at the fairgrounds this year, not the civic center
my uncle went to one a few years back, it helped him a lot
hope a lot of vets show up and get what they need
glad they still do these
can someone go to just get info for a friend?
be cool to see more local businesses join in next time
volunteered at one a few years back, make a big difference for people
it’s about time we take care of folks who served for us
hope they have more dental checkups, that’s so needed
wish stuff like this was all year, not just one day
always glad to see events like this happenin in panama city
appreciate the support for veterans here