The American Red Cross has supported veterans since the first World War and remains committed to those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces wherever they may reside. Local Red Cross offices develop and maintain relationships with key community partners. The Red Cross helps them identify their needs and connect them to the most appropriate Red Cross and community resources. This key Red Cross service ranges from responding to emergency needs for food, clothing, and shelter, referrals to counseling services (e.g., financial, legal, mental health), respite care for caregivers, and other resources that meet the unique needs of local military members, veterans and their families.