Operation Homefront is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that provides emergency assistance for military troops, the families they leave behind, and wounded warriors when they return home. The organization raises funds to provide emergency, financial, and morale assistance to families while troops are participating in a tour of duty

Tour of duty

In the Navy, a tour of duty is a period of time spent performing operational duties at sea, including combat, performing patrol or fleet duties, or assigned to service in a foreign country....

. Operation Homefront has more than 4,000 volunteers and two dozen chapters nationwide. Since its creation in 2001 by Meredith Leyva of CINChouse.com, radio personality Roger Hedgcock and military veteran and businessman Ernie Leidiger

Ernie Leidiger

Ernie Leidiger is a Minnesota politician and a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives who represents District 34A, which includes central and western Carver County and part of Scott County in the southern part of the state. A Republican, he is also general manager and owner of Brothers...

, Operation Homefront has met over 257,000 needs of military families and military personnel returning from duty.

Achievements

• Operation Homefront served over 257,000 needs of military families.
• Operation Homefront had a 179+% increase in requests for food assistance in 2009 over 2008.
• Over 20,000 care packages delivered to soldiers in the US and abroad.
• Operation Homefront is featured in a new national campaign sponsored by Outback Steakhouse
  Outback Steakhouse
  Outback Steakhouse is an American casual dining restaurant chain based in Tampa, Florida with over 1200 locations in 22 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. It was founded in February 1988 in Tampa by Bob Basham, Chris T...
  
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Operation Homefront has received the 4-star Charity Navigator rating, the highest award offered.